Arsenal have come under fire from environmental groups for deciding to fly to their match against Norwich City on Sunday, according to reports.
The Gunners are taking the 14-minute flight in an effort to avoid a two-and-a-half hour bus journey or two hour train journey. Manager Arsene Wenger believes that this was the right decision to make as there were some roadworks planned on the route.
‘When we made the decision there was some road work planned – sometimes the access to Norwich is difficult,’ Wenger said.
‘We do not fly a lot any more. We take the train or coach. This is an exception.’
The North London outfit are playing the Canaries at 4pm on Sunday after featuring in the Champions League on Tuesday evening. The flight may be an attempt to lessen the impact of playing mid-week, although the match was at home and five days before.
However, environmental groups are not impressed, with Plane Stupid spokesperson Ella Gilbert telling the London Evening Standard: ‘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 fueling 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.’
Twitter users also seemed less than impressed by the decision.
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