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Arsenal have sparked frustration among fans by blocking a planned tifo display by the Ashburton Army for the upcoming Champions League semi-final first leg against Paris Saint-Germain on April 29, 2025, at the Emirates Stadium.
The decision, announced today, April 24, comes despite the supporter group raising over £10,000 for what they described as their “biggest tifo yet” to create an electric atmosphere for the crucial match.
The Ashburton Army, a prominent Arsenal ultras group known for their passionate support and vibrant displays, had rallied fans to fund the ambitious project. However, posts on X reveal that the club has denied the display, leaving supporters disappointed but determined to make the game a spectacle regardless.
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The group has encouraged fans to “bring everything they have” to ensure the Emirates delivers an unforgettable atmosphere against PSG.
— AA (@Block25AA) April 24, 2025
This isn’t the first time Arsenal and the Ashburton Army have clashed. The club has previously supported the group by funding banners and aiding with storage, but relations have been strained.
In 2023, Arsenal reduced the Army’s ticket allocation from 100 to 50 after issues with chants and behaviour, including antisemitic messages in the group’s WhatsApp and tragedy chanting during an FA Cup match against Liverpool, which led to three-year bans for three members.
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For Arsenal fans, the blocked tifo is a missed opportunity to rally behind Mikel Arteta’s side as they face a formidable PSG team.
With injuries and suspensions already plaguing the squad—Mikel Merino’s fitness in doubt, Thomas Partey suspended, and Jorginho potentially out for the season—the lack of a unifying fan display could dampen morale.
Still, the Ashburton Army’s call to action suggests the Emirates will be a cauldron of noise, as the Gunners aim for their first Champions League final since 2006.
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