Arsenal stars delight 12,000 fans at open training session at National Stadium
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Arsenal star Bukayo Saka signing jerseys and taking selfies at the end of the team's open training session at the National Stadium on July 25.
ST PHOTO: GIN TAY
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SINGAPORE – Open fields or street soccer courts in his neighbourhood are usually Irvine Ong’s go-tos for a quick kick-about.
On July 25, though, the 12-year-old had the opportunity to step on a very special playing surface – the immaculate, carpet-like pitch at the National Stadium.
He was among 16 budding youngsters invited to the pitch to meet English Premier League giants Arsenal’s players near the end of their open training session.
“I was so excited and nervous,” said Irvine. A boy on a mission, he headed for his favourite Arsenal player – midfielder Declan Rice – and snagged a cherished wefie.
About 12,000 fans turned up at the stadium on July 25 – most of whom donned jerseys and even scarves, despite the stifling humidity – to watch the Gunners go through their paces in the evening.
The session was part of the slate of activities at the 2025 Singapore Festival of Football.
Arsenal had kicked off the festival with a 1-0 win over Italian giants AC Milan at the National Stadium on July 23, and will play fellow English side Newcastle United at the same venue on July 27.
On July 25, even before the stadium gates opened at 4.30pm, about 200 fans had already been waiting patiently for the shutters to rise.
Once they were inside, seats were disregarded as throngs flocked to the barricades, determined to secure a prime spot to catch a glimpse of their idols.
The Gunners, including new signing Cristhian Mosquera, a £13 million (S$22.4 million) recruit from Spanish side Valencia, were greeted by loud cheers when they emerged from the tunnel at around 5.45pm.
The fans were treated to a two-sided game, and oohs and aahs rang around the stadium whenever goalkeepers David Raya and Kepa Arrizabalaga pulled off eye-catching diving saves.
After a relatively relaxed session that lasted about an hour, the players headed for the stands to screaming fans and a flurry of jerseys, markers and signboards.
Irvine Ong snagged a selfie with Declan Rice, his favourite Arsenal player, during the team’s open training on July 25.
PHOTO: COURTESY OF IRVINE ONG
Supporter Sambhav Jain, 34, said: “For the past few years I’ve been following the pre-season tour in the US, and all these content creators always talk about US support.
“But I think there’s massive support for Arsenal in Asia as well. It’s crazy how many types of jerseys are out here...
“I’m seeing people wearing jerseys from the 2000s, which is very nostalgic for me as someone who has been supporting the club since 1996.”
Liu He, a fan who travelled from China to see her heroes, was decked out in a bright yellow jersey worn by the squad from 2003 to 2005.
She paired her top with yellow-framed glasses and blue shoes with yellow laces.
“It’s the jersey of the Invincibles,” said the 35-year-old proudly, referring to the 2003-2004 team who went undefeated during the Premier League season.
Liu, who is from Guangzhou, said she bought front-row tickets to both matches and open training immediately after sales opened. She then purchased flight tickets and booked her hotel stay.
The lawyer, who said she has visited the Emirates Stadium in London yearly since the Covid-19 pandemic eased in 2022, added that she spares no expense for the team.
“I work really hard just for these moments,” said Liu, who became a fan after watching Gilberto Silva score in a 1-0 win over Liverpool in the 2002 Community Shield.
After three consecutive Premier League runner-up finishes, she is also backing Arsenal to go one step further in the upcoming season.
“Without fail, every year, we’ll continue to believe.”
New signing Cristhian Mosquera (far left) joined the team for drills on July 24, a day after his move to Arsenal was announced officially.
ST PHOTO: GIN TAY
On the pitch, Irvine and other youth had an experience to remember, having all been part of a football clinic led by Arsenal coaches on July 24 that was part of the club’s community outreach initiative in the Republic.
Another teen from the group, Ryna Hazirah, 18, sheepishly admitted that she is a Manchester City fan.
“But my brother is a huge Arsenal fan,” she quickly added with a grin. “He could not come today because he had to study for his N-level examinations.
“But I managed to get him Bukayo Saka’s autograph, and when I told him he was really happy.”
