Arsenal's 14 minute flight to Norwich match branded 'ridiculous and embarrassing' by environmental group

Come fly with Mesut: The Arsenal star takes off on a flight to Zagreb
Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
James Benge28 November 2015

Arsenal’s decision to take a 14 minute flight to Norwich ahead of Sunday’s match at Carrow Road has been lambasted by environmental campaigners.

The club are expected to fly from London Luton airport, a 20 minute drive from their Hertfordshire training camp, to Norwich International airport ahead of a 4:15pm kick-off on Sunday against Norwich City.

A journey from the club’s training to the stadium would take around two and a half hours by road whilst a direct train from London Liverpool Street takes just under two hours to arrive in Norwich.

Arsene Wenger’s side also travelled the 118 mile journey by plane in 2012, and the decision to once more take a flight has received condemnation by Plane Stupid, a network of groups that look to limit aviation expansion and end short haul flights.

Plane Stupid spokesperson Ella Gilbert said: “Having lived in Norwich and Finsbury Park, I can tell you that this is a distance that you can do in two hours by train, without fuelling climate change. This is ridiculous.

“I’m a life-long Gooner so I’m used to being occasionally embarrassed by my team, but I prefer them to wait until after kick-off before humiliating their supporters.

“Don’t fly to Norwich, the Canaries aren't worth it.”

In 2012 Wenger defended the club’s decision to travel by air, explaining: “Usually we take the train and there was no train available, so in the end we decided to fly because we had to drive up on Friday afternoon at the moment when you never know how long it lasts.”

Arsenal training Mon 23 November

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The club have made no further comment on this latest journey.

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