Our member Tim Tan shares his visit to The Arsenal to watch the team take on Bournemouth & Sporting CP in April 2026.

April 2024, a depressing time when my son Si Han and I paid a princely amount for hospitality tickets to watch Arsenal lose to Aston Villa and witnessed the beginning of our end for the EPL title race.  It was then followed by traveling to Allianz Arena to witness Arsenal getting knocked out of the Champions League. 

So came April 2026, we have demons of trauma to exorcise.  

Arsenal v Bournemouth (EPL) 

Sitting at the Emirates with anxiety and trepidation about our notorious April form, here we were for the Bournemouth game.  Perched on top of the table but knowing how precarious things could turn if we were to lose, we hoped for the best.   The best didn’t turn up. The team didn’t turn up.  A painful loss. Speechless was probably the most apt way to describe the game.  The demons were not slayed.  They bred and grew. 

Arsenal v Sporting (Champions League)

4 days later we were back. Carrying a 1 goal advantage from the first leg, there could be no excuse not to progress on home ground. The atmosphere for this game was lively, the fans loud and fervent.  The team managed to qualify with a goal-less draw.  There were several moments of near heart-attack.  The performance wasn’t much to shout about.  But thankfully we got through.  The fans performed much better than the team.  But qualification was the priority.  We got it.  

After Thought

The season is not over yet.  Still in the race for both the EPL and CL.  It wouldn’t be easy.  Came back home the same evening to watch us lose narrowly to Manchester City.  But at least there was a proper battle that I felt encouraged.  The smug look of Cherki and Haaland pained me immensely.  I can only hope we right the wrongs in time.  

I want to mention that it was a joy to have met up with fellow gooners arranged by Arsenal SG Supporters’ Club for the matches.  The first game was depressing.  My son and I and fellow gooner Dylan walked aimlessly on the streets for an hour after the game.  The Champions League game outcome called for a celebration, with all 4 of us gathering for after-match drinks.  

COYG!