It's Time To Do Our Job, & Support

Hi all. Long time reader first time poster, and I'd just like to say I could not agree with this more. As the name might suggest, I'm from Australia. I know I'm not the only Australian on this forum, but let me clarify that those of us in this timezone who are fortunate neough to see our games broadcast live are up 'til all hours of the morning watching this great club perform. Last Saturday's game was the first time in 2 seasons I'd heard the team booed off and quite franly that is just appalling. Those of you in the UK hae no idea how fortunate you are to not just see these games at a reasonable hour, but to attend them live! If you're not happy I'll gladly take any seat you don't want to fill, and have several friends who would more than jump at the chance to be there live. It's ridiculous, it's childish and in no way is it going to get you sorry lot of whingers the result you want. Why should those terrific footballers play for you when all you do is be over critical of how perform? Honestly, how good are any of you at your job? Would be alot harder having 60,000 complete fools booing. Am I happy that there's a strong chance we'll finish without an silverware this season? Of course, any supporter would be. However I am thrilled by the effort these players have put in over a grueling season marred by injuries, poor officiating and now terrible home support. Now is the time for true gooners to stanf up and cheer, urge the players on and let them know you're behind them. This is the when we need to really show how much this team means to us and support them, for better or worse

I suspect the people you complain of are the same people slating Wenger and his whole policy of recruiting and developing youngsters without even attempting to understand the restraints and restrictions of the stadium project before this season, and the one before, started. They didn't get it then and they won't get it now. We have competed more succesfully this season than we did last. If we fall short of picking up a trophy it will be for any number of reasons. The reliance on youth while the finances recover from the stadium outlay, circumstances that have gone against us, and even some poor decisions by Wenger and the players. The last two are part and parcel of a normal season. The first is a 'once in a century event' that we are emerging from very nicely. Supporters don't need to be asked to support - they'll do that anyway - and followers will follow for as long as their demands for a trophy are satisfied.

I actually agree there Amos - There are two different sorts of people go into our stadium, and your words "supporters" and "followers" sum it up pretty nicely!!!

With regards to the support inside the stadium, I absolutely concur with the sentiments of the article. Of course booing is childish and counter productive. I suspoect most of the people who do it are the ones who can't even be arsed to sit through it for ninety minutes. I was having this very discussion with people I sit with this morning and the only positive thing to glean from the booing on Saturday was that at the final whistle the team were applauded, so hopefully they recognise that a second half improvement was acknowledged. Whilst in the stadium we should all do our level best to lift the team and not scream like spoilt brats when a pass goes astray or shout "shoot" when Clichy is forty yards from goal on his right foot with a wall of players in front of him. Booing the players was entirely unnecessary on Saturday, they tried their best, but it was a shadow side playing an unfamiliar formation, I was astounded the manager thought it could work in truth. But, it is not incorrect to criticise the manager if he makes mistakes. That's part of the job one has to accept and I'm sure Wenger does. In the bigger picture we have seen a massive improvement this season and if you offered me a single other manager in world football I wouldn't be interested. It is my honest belief that we have the finest manager on the planet. However, I question why he didn't strengthen the squad in Janaury as he clearly does not believe we are capable of sustaining a tilt at more than one trophy. In January we were in all four competitions so he must have recognised that the schedule would get demanding. I'm upset about the team selection on Saturday because the manager told everyone we wouldn't give up on the title and in my eyes he did. I think that's a fair criticism and I think I'm entitled to say it. That's not me suggesting I could do the job any better, the same why I criticise the Prime Minister, but I wouldn't volunteer to step into his post! In the interest of balance, and as cold as it sounds, it's also worth pointing out that, had I bought my seat on an individual basis for Saturday, it would have cost me £94. To pay a pound a minute to watch the reserves is a bit of a liberty (though I won't complain about it myself, because Wenger could have announced he would be turning out John Jensen and Jimmy Carter and I still would have gone along). Now I know Wenger has to do what's in the interests of the team and if he felt leaving out a lot of players was the way to go then fair play, I don't agree but I accept it. But I can understand how people can be upset about that. Personally, that's not the source of my chargrin, I willingly travel the country watching the CC kids play anyway and very much enjoy doing so. But I don't think it's incorrect to use a forum to complain about the team or manager, a great deal of the criticism is OTT and reactionary and the product of people who use Sky Sports where their brain should be. But, people have a right to express that dissatisfaction. I hope when I come to do my match report on Wednesday morning that I can tell you I was wrong, but I really think AW has jeopardised our chances on Tuesday with this game by putting even more pressure on it. I admit willingly I'm there to be shot at and you can fill this forum with "you were wrong, Arsene Knows" if we get the result. However, in keeping with the article, one thing I can tell you is if we do lose on Tuesday, I won't be standing in the Anfield Road End calling for the manager's head or booing. But, if we win nothing this season having been in such a strong position to do so in February, the manager will have to hold his hands up and say, "my bad."

I was at the game on Saturday and whilst the booing wasn't a good response, its funny how some people felt like doing so. It's obviously borne from frustration that having had our expectation levels heightened, its so hard to see the team struggling as they did in the first half. I disagree with you on one point LD. I don't think if we picked our strongest side, we'd have been guaranteed to win this game. Arsene had to play a balancing act for these next 3 games and take calculated risks. They obviously didn't pay off on Saturday. As for our season, we don't have a divine right to win trophies.

My editing job of my post went astray. I meant to write "For me the most important criticism is, if AW believes this squad was good enuf to challenge for trophies during a long season (as he so often publicly declared), does he not use 2nd string players even when they're fit."

What really upset me is, that the players prefer away games because they don't have us fans around. Doesn't that say something about the people (not all of them, but some) who go and watch? After the match, I believe that we can complain all we want about what went wrong, who was to blame, and what might have been the better solution, but, don't do it in front of the players! There's enough pressure on the boys anyway, the least we want to do is add to it, especially knowing that they don't perform well under pressure. As GDU said, the people who attend games are so very lucky that they have the privilege of watching the boys play, whether it be the first team, or the second string. You can't start booing the team because you feel you didn't get what you came for. I don't think there's any sort of guarantee on your ticket that promises the most excellent football and a 5-0 thrashing of the opponents. The players should actually feel happier at home, they should feel that the 60,000 people crowding around them are still going to support them whether they win or lose. It's quite sad really, to know that Fabregas would prefer to play for an audience of 'Pool fans rather than us.

I NEVER SAID WE EXACTLY WANT RONALDINHO (ALTHOUGH I WOULDNT SPILL A GLASS OF WINE HE CAME) I MEANT SOM1 LIKE HIM

Y WOULDNT HE COME

I didn't mean that it was wrong to criticise, just that there is a time and a place. I didn't hear anyone bemoaning the lack of signings when we were top of the league (apart from maybe people asking for a winger) it's easy in hindsight to say that the wrong decisions were made. With six games to go there are no positives what so ever from bitching about things that have gone wrong, so we may as well save it for the end of the season.

Wenger needs some Mourinho mentality.Had wenger fought for the FA Cup , you'd certainly win it.All of your key players reached their peak either in the beginning or middle of the season.Arsenal would attack attack even at the last minute, this intensity took alot of your players imo. Then, for the final key part of the season, Arsene choose not to gamble on backup players , like Denilson, etc, choosing to play his tired , burned-out key players instead.Nothing to do with buys or youngsters.Wenger check-mated himself.

I UNDERSTAND WHAT U WERE SAING BUT AT THE BEGGINING OF THE SEASON EVERY1 WAZ FIT I STILL BELIEVE IF EVERY1 STAYED FIT WE WOULD PROBABLY BE 10 POINTZ CLEAR OF OUR PREM RIVALS AND THE PLAYERS IN OUR FIRST TEAM ARE FANTASTIC I WOULD KEEP THEM ALL BUT LOOK AT OUR SUBZ BENCH GILBERTO (PAST IT) DIABY (ON / OFF PERFORMANCES) HOYTE (GOOD BUT NT GOOD ENOUGH TO REPLACE SAGNA) LEAMAN (GR8 KEEPER BAD ATTITUDE) BENTENER (GOOD AS A SUPER SUB) WALCOTT (PERSONALLY THINK HE SOULD BE IN THE FIRST TEAM INSTEAD OF EBOUE) NXT SEASON EVERY1 WILL BE FIT BUT WHAT WHEN INJURY PRONE PLAYERS SUCH AS RVP AND ROSISKY GET INJURED ???????

VERY FUNNI I FORGOT 2 LAUGH I USE CAPITALZ SO IT STANDS OUT

I can assure you won't have any problems standing out.....

It izn't gangzta , Rocky, thatz why.

Cheers Rocky. It's disheartening to hear that our players would rather play away from home. I guess I've said this a few times before, but I still think that we didn't build a 60,000-seat stadium for revenue alone. Having those spoiled kids there is disgraceful and unfair for the players. I happen to think if someone just stands in front of 60,000 people calmly and does his job, that's already great mental ability, let alone a few of them in their early 20s, some still teens. I feel really bad for the kids who pluck up the courage (especially someone a bit shy like Theo) and try to do their jobs in front of us and some of 'us' choose to boo them. Worse still, they think they're entitled to do so, after contributing a hundred pounds or something to the club. Whereas a lot of fans would love to be there and can't even get a ticket, not to mention those watching TV abroad. So spoiled, so unfair.

Darwin was wrong...

Jaelle, I'm sure that's the case. And like I said, how I wish I could just get a ticket to see for myself, which has just been impossible here without going through the resell market where tickets are ridiculously pricey. Anyway, I hope these people appreciate how fortunate they are to be able to go and watch a great team like ours. (Of course it's even more fortunate if you're a Chelsea fan.)

Thats not true Lou. All you need is a Red Membership which costs 20 pound a year. All tickets this year appart from Man united, Chelsea, spurs & the champions league knockout matches have gone on sale to red members. Just find out the date & time they go on sale on the Arsenal website and make sure you are you are online to book them as they come avaliable.

Nah the red allocations get sold out very soon! Maybe I have to stick with the website/hotline first thing when they're released, that's the only chance. But my point is still that it's a privilege to be there, why not make the most out of it, i.e. get behind the team no matter what. Fine if you think it's all easier said than done. But we are indeed spoiled.

I am fortunate to be sitting in the singing section, Block 6 where we stand up the whole game. I wouldnt trade it for any other seat in the stadium

A friend of mine got told off for using a swear word at the emirates by some chap with his kid. I don't condone swearing but come on.. this is a football stadium and passions do run high and things get a bit out of control when you are dying for your team to score...

I made quite a trade off, my Highbury season ticket was block 19 in the Clock End, right in the thick of it. Now I'm in the East Upper and it is very different. I'm a shy person in all other walks of life except a football stadium. No matter how quietit is around me,I still go for it. Put it down to the impetuousness of youth if you will, but it's because I get frustrated that I can't get on the pitch and do it all myself!

PS) Does get a bit quiet when 'God Save The Queen', is played on cup final days though, haha. 8-)

You got to choose where you sta when you bought your season tickets didnt you? I did and chose to sit in the section where everyone wanted to sing

I went to my first Emirates game against Man City earlier this season and i too was hugely diserpointed with the atmosphere,especially where i was sitting(J section).i was bursting to stand up and be going mental,but it felt like i was at an opera,you know the scene where you ruffle a packet of sweets and they all turn around and give you glaring looks for disturbing them!! I can see the problems being1:the obvious,middle class out of towners(prawn sandwich bridgade)witch everyone has mentioned much of already.2:its to confortable,yes they have created an amazing state of the art stadium but the design of the seats makes you sit back relax and watch the game insted of useing that famous expression (sitting on the edge of your seat)3:no real defining north and south stand because it`s now a bowl. suggestive solutions.1:Have season tickets sold like london underground tickets,where by the further you live away from N5 the more you have to pay as the same being the nearer you live the less you pay,hence hopefully bringing more "local"supporters to the game.2:rip out those "recarro"seats and put in ones where you can barely fit one arse cheek on thus increasing the capassity at the same time 3:get the board to push forward a trial campain to have say 5,000 seats behind each goal end taken out for standing in the lower section and lastly have the die hard singers sing sarcastic chants to the fellow gooner boo boys and the undertakers who occupy this great arena and make it the way it is.thats all i wanted to say thanks

Arsenor that zonal thing wouldn't work mate. Standing would! It'd be effin brilliant to have terracing back at football, just don't let scousers have it :/

I would be happy to swap my place with someone for one game to see what its like above. As long as its not past row 15 on the top bit.