More than 200 Arsenal fans had their memberships cancelled after the club and police went on a touting crackdown at the Emirates before the Manchester United game on Saturday.

The operation also resulted in nine suspected touts being apprehended and hundreds of tickets being confiscated.

Stadium director John Beattie said: “We work on an on-going basis to minimise the activities of touts. Our fans are the people who suffer, either through paying inflated prices or receiving counterfeit tickets.

“We would remind supporters they should only ever buy tickets through official club channels.”

Insp Steve Murfin said: “The Met are pleased to work in partnership with Arsenal and Islington Council at reducing the supply of illegal ticket sales which can result in disorder within the stadium.”

One season ticket holder wrote on Twitter: “I’m glad the club and the police have worked out that the guys standing outside Holloway Road station saying ‘tickets, buy or sell tickets’ may be touts.”