WSL Arsenal V Manchester United: Football match experience

At the time of writing this blog post, the 2024/25 Women’s Super League (WSL) season has drawn to a close.

Although I didn’t get to attend as many matches as I’d have liked to for reasons out of my control, I’ve loved tuning in every weekend from home.

When I was able to plan a match, I immediately looked at the fixtures. One between Arsenal and Manchester United at Emirates Stadium caught my interest. It’s no secret over here my love of Manchester United. I’m going to make it known now that I have a pretty big soft spot for Arsenal too.

Many of the Arsenal team are some of my favourites. It’s also clear that the club care about accessibility and inclusion for disabled supporters.

Everything came into fruition, and I found myself looking into tickets for the Arsenal versus United fixture at the iconic Emirates Stadium. My favourite teams after all.

 

Booking tickets

Ever since I became a fan of women’s football a few years ago, I found myself growing a keen interest into the accessibility. I soon learned that Arsenal were pretty much leading the way in terms of accessibility in women’s football. I’d heard that they provide some of the best audio descriptive commentary around. Of course I was keen to try it out for myself.

I found myself instructing my screen reader to read out the access guide on the Arsenal website. I also found dedicated information on how to book accessible tickets for women’s matches – something that’s always a pleasant surprise, I set out to purchase tickets over the phone.

It was a relatively easy job, only being on hold for a few minutes. I spoke with a member of the accessibility team who was really helpful, asking about my accessibility requirements and letting me know what tickets were available. I sadly couldn’t get any seating close to the pitch in the lower tier like I had done for a previous game I was unable to attend, thanks to issues with public transport on match day. I didn’t mind where I was, as long as I could soak up the atmosphere.

The member of the accessibility team took their time to discuss the seating options with me and double checking that the seats we’d chosen would meet my accessibility requirements.

They also reserved my audio descriptive commentary headset, letting me know how it’d work on the day.

 

The match

I was counting down to 10th May. A busy few weeks prior, and it was here in no time. It was an early start for me and my dad to head down to London for a 12:30 kick-off. Arriving at Kings Cross, we hopped on the tube and headed to the Emirates.

Upon arrival at the stadium, we had our bags searched, then headed to find the turnstile we needed. A very kind steward offered to help us, coming with us to the gate we were looking for.

To our surprise, another lovely member of then offered to take us all the way inside the stadium and to our seats.

We had our tickets scanned and made our way through the accessible entrance. Once inside, the member of stewarding staff duly came with us to find the block where we were seated. I have to give him a lot of credit. He didn’t have to go out of his way to help, but he genuinely wanted to. We were really grateful.

Once we’d found our seats, we were about to search for a member of staff to ask if they were able to help in getting my headset for the audio descriptive commentary. As if by magic, someone appeared with one, noticing our arrival. It was like clockwork!

I didn’t have to wait long until the commentators who were providing the audio descriptive commentary introduced themselves. They then ran through the lineup for each team, along with reminding the importance of the match for either side.

It wasn’t long before the audio description well and truly sprung into action, letting me know which side the teams would be playing towards, along with the kits. Arsenal would be playing in their famous home red shirt, whilst Manchester United were in their royal blue away kit.

Right on cue, the song “North London Forever” chorused its way throughout the stadium, Arsenal’s signature song.

My audio descriptive commentary told me when the players came out of the tunnel, described their pre-match huddles, final warm-ups and when they took the knee in a stance that no discrimination will be tolerated in the women’s game.

Then the match was underway.

I was just thinking how impressed I was by the audio descriptive commentary so far, then all of a sudden, I heard the words “goal!” right before the Arsenal fans erupted. We were two minutes into the game, and I was being told that Arsenal’s Chloe Kelly capitalised on a rare mistake by United goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce with a left-footed shot from the centre of the box which found its way into the top right corner. The score was 1-0 Arsenal within the first 2 minutes.

A few minutes later, a cross from Chloe Kelly found Alessia Russo, although the header didn’t find its way into the net. The commentators informed me that there was a look of frustration on Alessia’s face.

A corner from United a few minutes later, and there was no time to switch off. On 13 minutes a header from Ella Toone saw Manchester United equalise.

On the 30 minute mark, Arsenal’s Frida Maanum came dangerously close, firing narrowly wide of the bottom left, almost giving Arsenal another lead.

There were further opportunities for United to reverse the roles and take the lead, although that wasn’t meant to be. Celin Bizet saw her effort hit the bar, with the audio description echoing the effort back to me. There were two further chances for Arsenal, again from Chloe Kelly and Caitlin Foord.

The first half flew by, before the commentators announced it was half-time. They took a break, returning just before the second half, announcing a Manchester United substitution.

Less than 5 minutes into the second half, we were gripped on the edge of our seats. Caitlin Foord was fouled by Grace Clinton, giving Arsenal a penalty. My audio description announcing “penalty”, explaining the scenes unfolding. Mariona Caldentey sent the goalkeeper the wrong way, slotting it into the bottom right-hand corner to give Arsenal the lead.

As if that wasn’t enough, a linkup between Katie McCabe and Frida Maanum saw Maanum score another goal for Arsenal, with me receiving the information that she kissed the badge in her celebration. Those are the moments I love to know about.

Three minutes later, Chloe Kelly played the ball inside to Kim Little in the 18-yard box, who nestled it into the bottom left corner.

There was no time for the audio describers taking a break, with United scoring their second goal in the 70^th minute from half-time substitute Elisabeth Terland.

You’d be forgiven to think that the game might be over then, but there was more. A foul from Katie McCabe in the penalty area gave United a penalty, which captain Maya Le Tissier scored from the area.

Although there weren’t any more goals to come in the final minutes of the game, there were plenty attempts which were blocked, offsides, free kicks and a couple of corners, all from each side. Oh and we can’t forget one or two yellow cards too.

With some late substitutions and the minimum of 7 additional minutes coming to a close, the full-time whistle was blown. The final score was 4-3.

What a game. A 7 goal thriller? Yes please.

The football anthem Freed From Desire pulsed throughout the stadium, and I couldn’t help but smile and sing along.

Given that it was the last match of the season, there was a presentation after the match. WE sadly couldn’t stay for this because our train home was nearing closer, although I’d have loved to.

But it was a match to remember for sure.

 

The audio-descriptive commentary

I’ve said it countless times: for blind and visually impaired fans, audio commentary, or audio descriptive commentary can make or break a game for us, regardless of the result. And I’ll keep saying it.

Headset on, I can get fully immersed in the action, knowing what sighted fans are seeing. Most importantly, it means that I can be included.

Ever since getting into women’s football, I’ve wanted to attend a match with audio descriptive commentary. It adds an extra layer of inclusion from your typical audio commentary, telling you exactly what’s going on – from the kits the players are wearing, their body language and the placement of the ball throughout the game.

Arsenal are one of the clubs that work with Alan March Sport, who are renowned for their audio descriptive commentary. And it didn’t disappoint.

Now that I’ve experienced audio descriptive commentary, I can wholeheartedly say that it completely transforms my experience of the match as a blind fan.

From the very start of the commentary, I was hooked on every word.

It helped to set the scene throughout every single moment of the match, something I would never usually have with standard audio commentary.

The commentators never missed a kick of the ball. The detail I received was absolutely brilliant. I don’t have the words to describe it!

 

Something I particularly loved was hearing the precise movements of exactly what was happening on the pitch. From the placement of the ball to where the players were positioned, I was given all the detail. I was even told about where the ball had ended up in the net throughout the 7 goals.

My favourite part had to be the intricate detail of the body language and players’ facial expressions. From tussles in the midfield to players looking frustrated at times, there wasn’t a key moment I missed out on.

I was also given an insight into the action off the pitch as well, with references to the two managers and flags waved aloft by fans in the stands, helping me feel included in every way possible.

It’s an excellent example of real inclusion. That inclusion was an incredible feeling.

The two commentators were fantastic. They were perfectly in sync with each other. I cannot fault their commentary, it was like nothing I’ve experienced before.

I’d love to see more clubs commit to making audio descriptive commentary part of their offering for disabled fans, helping to grow the women’s game. Disabled fans should be a part of that growth.

 

Thanks to an epic game on the pitch and the accessibility off it, the Arsenal versus United match is by far my favourite game I’ve ever attended. The accessibility made the experience even more memorable. The audio descriptive commentary took it to another level.

I hope to be returning to the Emirates soon!

 

If you’re a fellow football fan, what’s been your favourite football match you’ve ever attended and why? Did accessibility add to the experience? I’d love to chat in the comments.

 

Holly x