Arsenal’s recent tifo display drew disappointment from some fans on Tuesday evening.
Following widespread praise for the Emirates’ atmosphere during Arsenal’s Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid, expectations were high for the semi-final clash with Paris Saint-Germain.
A goal from the visitors in the fourth minute dampened the early mood, and Arsenal’s tifo presentation failed to lift spirits.
Across social media, rival supporters mocked the large red banner with a white cannon, a sentiment echoed by several Arsenal fans expressing their dissatisfaction with the effort.
With this being Arsenal’s first Champions League semi-final since 2009, many were hoping for a tribute fitting of the historic occasion.
Manager Mikel Arteta had called the fixture “one of the biggest in 19 years” during his pre-match press conference.
However, the visual tribute did not meet these expectations.
Sources told BBC Sport that Arsenal declined the fan-made tifo proposal due to a lack of time between matches.
The Ashburton Army, a prominent Arsenal fan group, had raised over £12,000 and offered to fund their own bespoke tifo, suggesting several creative designs to the club.
On April 24, the group announced: “As the tifo has been rejected by the club, we will refund people for it.”
BBC Sport understands the club cited the brief turnaround between fixtures for not proceeding with the supporters’ initiative.
Instead, the club opted for a straightforward large red flag adorned with the cannon crest, hanging from the North Bank Stand. Another banner in the East Stand read “make it happen,” echoing Arteta’s rallying call to his squad.
The banners, accompanied by fireworks and pyrotechnics, were considered rather conventional for an occasion of this magnitude.
One comment on X read: “I expected an amazing tifo from Arsenal, only to see this? It looks like something from Fifa career mode.”
Another added: “This may be the most widely-acknowledged disappointing tifo ever, considering the situation.”
A third wrote: “Arsenal turned down the fans’ tifo design and produced this. For a Champions League semi-final, this just isn’t good enough. Disappointing.”
Former England striker Wayne Rooney, speaking as a television pundit, contrasted Tuesday’s Emirates atmosphere with that of the Real Madrid fixture.
In that previous match, each stadium block participated with red and white cards raised overhead.
“I found Arsenal’s performance, and that of the fans, underwhelming,” Rooney told Amazon Prime.
“It felt subdued, almost as if beating Real Madrid meant they’d cruise into the final.”
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Arsenal supporter and writer Laura Kirk: “One fan group, the Ashburton Army, raised funds for a tifo ultimately rejected by the club—I can only assume for not aligning with the club brand, though there’s been no official statement.
“Compared with what we see on the continent, such as Real Madrid’s recent display, it felt like a huge missed opportunity.”
Oli Price-Bates, The Fresh Arsenal Podcast: “The club’s tifo felt rather underwhelming. The match called for a greater effort from the club to boost atmosphere and fan involvement.
“If Arsenal return to this stage, better preparation and deeper supporter engagement in tifos and pre-match build-up will be essential.
“Hopefully, we won’t wait as long for another semi-final—and next time, the club will seize the moment.”
Harry Symeou, broadcaster and Arsenal supporter: “Fans expected something more striking, given the online anticipation around more creative designs—so disappointment was understandable.
“Continental tifos are often imaginative and set the tone for major occasions. ‘Ultra’ fan groups there play a pivotal role—creating better fan experiences. In England, this isn’t yet matched. Clubs taking sole control must deliver with more innovation.”
Crystal Palace’s tifo at their FA Cup semi-final with Aston Villa.
Manchester United’s tifo for their Europa League match against Lyon.
Aston Villa’s tifo for their Champions League match with Paris Saint-Germain.
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Overall? Arguably so.
And Arsenal are not alone in facing tifo criticism.
West Ham United attempted a display against Arsenal at the London Stadium this season, featuring their crest and foundation year—though an unfortunate layout made 1895 appear as 1695.
Nevertheless, English clubs have demonstrated that impactful tifos are possible.
Aston Villa presented memorable Champions League tributes at Villa Park, while Crystal Palace are developing a reputation for impressive pre-match displays.
Their FA Cup semi-final at Wembley saw Villa reveal three lions, with Palace displaying a red and blue wall and a child holding an FA Cup above the words “take my hand, take my whole life too.”
Manchester United and Newcastle United have also been noted for their inventive displays across European competition this season.
Is the lacklustre tifo culture in English football linked to a different fan tradition compared to the continent?
According to Jeffrey Kassing, Professor at Arizona State University and author of ‘The Art of Tifo,’ the answer is affirmative.
“Tifo tradition is intertwined with the ‘ultras’ culture, as these performances define their identity,” Kassing told BBC Sport.
“Ultras culture established itself predominantly in southern and eastern Europe. In northern regions, including England, hooliganism became dominant.
“There, violence and overt masculinity shaped fan identity, whereas ultras emphasised stadium performances—tifos, chanting, singing, and when allowed, musical elements.
“While not renowned for tifos, English fans’ quick-witted and intelligent chants are highly regarded.”
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