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Civil war in the stands: give it a rest

23/10/2014

Plenty of stories have come through today, concerning violence between Arsenal fans at last night's Anderlecht game. This isn't the first time it's happened in recent years; Reading and Brighton away are just a couple of examples where fighting has taken place in the stands.

Yesterday afternoon images of the "Thanks for the memories" flag started doing the rounds, when it was hung outside a pub in Belgium. For those who are unaware of the flag, it's addressed to Arsene Wenger and says "Thanks for the memories but it's time to say goodbye". Needless to say, those who back our manager are never happy when it comes out.

To be perfectly honest, I couldn't care if the flag is displayed outside a pub; people are entitled to their opinion and if they think the manager should go, that's up to them. However, some apparently took offence to the flag yesterday and thought they'd get violent towards its owners. Naturally there was a reaction to this provocation... resulting in punches thrown. All because of one man. Madness.

It's sad that it's come to this and it's pathetic we have Arsenal on Arsenal violence. Outside the stadium is one thing, but when it happens in the ground, there are a couple of key issues.

First and foremost, you're there to watch a football match and support your team. Abuse or fighting among fans can easily filter through to the players and let's be honest, they're hardly full of confidence at the moment are they? So channel your energy into getting behind the team. We all want The Arsenal to win every match, so when the players pull on that shirt and are on the pitch, forget the manager and drive the team on.

Secondly, football grounds now are so full of CCTV that you're more than likely going to be on film if you're throwing punches at another fan. Therefore expect police involvement, court, and a three year ban from all football grounds.You may want the manager here or want him gone, but don't get so wound up in the ground and get yourself nicked.

I've never known our fanbase to be this divided, and with the Board seeing fit to award Arsene Wenger a 3 year contract, things will get worse before they get better. It's at that stage where those at the opposite ends of the spectrum are always bound to clash... but when you're in the ground, give it a rest and sing up for The Arsenal.

Up The Gunners.

'Highbury Harold'

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Time for fans to stand up against greed

20/10/2014

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At last week's AGM a question was presented on whether the Board was planning to further raise ticket prices next season. The answer that came back was that a decision was yet to be made.

Of course, the best answer would have been that the Board recognises the financial pressure on our matchgoing fans, that our commercial revenue plus hugely increased television broadcast income is now so big, it means that the club can stick by Ivan Gazidis's words from May 2011 and give our loyal fans a break.

I guess it was no huge surprise though, that the Board wouldn't commit. Given rumours that Stan Kroenke wanted prices up by 8% and was pegged back to 3%, I can see him wanting increases every year from now on. While he sees a season ticket waiting list, it gives him reason to do it... even though that pays no attention to the fact our fans already pay the highest prices in football.

It's safe to say that Kroenke couldn't give a shit about our core support. If he did, he wouldn't have forced a completely unnecessary 3% increase on prices.

The club didn't need the £3m the price rise generated, but now we've found out that it paid the same £3m in "strategic and advisory fees" to Kroenke's KSE business. Something extremely fishy about the deal, especially the way our Chairman Chips Keswick skirted around questions about it last week. This ambiguity further raises suspicions over how Kroenke will operate from now on.

While the Board say no decision has been made about prices for next season, I don't think anyone would be surprised if they announce another price hike in the coming months.

Last year's announcement was too much. It was out and out greed and once again milking the club's core support... support which has helped build this club and without which, there would be no Arsenal for Kroenke to come and take money from.

Time to stand up
Arsenal got in quick last year, and ignored subsequent complaints. Both ourselves and the Arsenal Supporters' Trust put out statements disagreeing with the price rise (read them here and here).

This time as fans we can be proactive. I call upon all Arsenal fans to unite and say NO to even more price increases. Start telling Arsenal that it's no longer acceptable. While Kroenke sees us as cattle that he can milk, he needs to realise that football as a whole is now starting to stand up against the greed among those running our game.

Those supporters' groups that disagree with the club enforcing further price rises will work together and do all they can to get the point across. If this leads to a protest against the greed of our majority shareholder, I'd like as many fans as possible to join in. Love the club, hate the greed. Watch this space on this one.

So, Stan... no more cowboy. Our loyal fans have been pushed far too much already. Over three years ago Ivan Gazidis said the club's increased commercial activity would mean Arsenal wouldn't need to rely on its matchgoing fans like it has in the past. Time to practice what your Chief Executive preached.

#NOMORECOWBOYSTAN

Without the fans, football is nothing.

Up The Gunners.

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AISA's 'attack' on the BSM: answering the lies

17/10/2014

12 Comments

On 16 October, Arsenal Fan TV released their latest instalment of 'The Big Arsenal Discussion' entitled "Ticket Prices & Are Supporters Groups Unified?". On the panel for this broadcast was a leader and founding member of the Arsenal Independent Supporters' Association (AISA), Paul Matz. You can see this video by clicking here.

After watching this video I felt a response was required, as Matz made a number of comments about the Black Scarf Movement which are flat out untrue. So in the interests of fairness it's only right that we get to set the record straight.

When questioned on AISA's apparent reluctance to appear in the media and engage with supporters, Paul admitted that AISA recognised that their media work is lacking, but it was because AISA is a "voluntary organisation" and didn't get as much time to do anything on this front. What I would say is that the AST and BSM are also voluntary organisations, with no paid committee members - it's just that we put in the required effort in terms of marketing and communications.

He went on to add that AISA has 11,000 members and ran an annual survey (for the record which was left open for four months) which attracted 1,500 responses. At 7:23 Matz declares "We are the largest Arsenal supporters' organisation" which is incorrect. The BSM now has over 19,000 members and has around 40,000 followers across social media, compared to AISA's 600 or so followers. Also in contrast our summer survey this year received 11,543 responses.

At 7:43 Paul states "My view is that the BSM only came into existence because of the playing performance, not because of anything to do with ticket prices or anything else... and I can go into that if you want to. I know that they don't see that as their main objective now, but if Arsenal had been winning trophies at the Emirates Stadium, the BSM would have never come into existence".

A truly shocking lie. Anyone who's followed us since our inception at the end of 2009 will know that our focus is nothing to do with what happens on the pitch; we came about because a growing number of fans were feeling disillusioned with, disenfranchised from, and completely taken for granted by the club. That their loyalty was being ignored through high ticket prices, from the sterile stadium atmosphere, from a Board out of touch with fans, and so on.

I would assume that Paul is very much aware of the background to the BSM, but has tried to undermine it. Because another key reason why we were set up is that large numbers of fans back then felt they had no voice; that no existing supporters' group properly represented them. That there was no organisation willing to stand up and say it like it is. The comments we received were that the groups and forums back then simply went along with Arsenal's 'lip service'.

Matz then talks about price rises at Highbury and that fans didn't complain because we were winning trophies. Not entirely true as I can recall many conversations in the Clock End about prices going up, how bad it was and what price would force fans to walk away.

On 18:35 Matz goes on "Producing leaflets comparing us to Bayern Munich. Nice leaflet, but you know, we're in different leagues and different circumstances". I agree, it was a "nice leaflet" but to dismiss it in such a way, completely ignoring the context, is poor. Many will remember that particular handout, which we produced for the 2013 Arsenal AGM. Based on Top Trumps cards, it stated that Ivan Gazidis had (on more than one occasion) used Bayern Munich as a barometer, comparing us with them... so we ran a true comparison. What we also said was that if we really wanted to emulate the success of Bayern Munich, then change was needed at boardroom level - with true Arsenal men coming on board, including individuals who'd actually played for the club.

Overall as a marketing tool to raise awareness the handout was very successful. It achieved nationwide press coverage and was all over social media for the following few days. Feedback was extremely positive so for Matz to dismiss it and ignore the key messages is either sour grapes or complete ignorance.

Around the 22:40 mark, again Paul mentions price rises at Highbury and states "You didn't say a word, BSM didn't say a word, nobody said a word". Correct the BSM didn't say a word, because we didn't exist back then. What I do know is that AISA sure as hell didn't say a word, and it was this silence from a group apparently campaigning for fans that led to us coming together.

To give this article some overall context, we were originally invited to take part in this video together with representatives from other Arsenal supporters' groups. We were then informed that Paul Matz wanted to appear on the show as a sole supporters' group representative - because he didn't want it to turn into an argument with bitching back and forth. So he took this opportunity, unopposed, to have a fair few digs at the BSM. I feel that a leading figure of AISA doing such a thing is beyond poor. He may plead innocence and say that was his honest view, but I'm not buying it for a second. He knew damn well what he was doing.

Closing this up, I'd say that the BSM since forming at the end of 2009 has gone through a lot of effort (which those running the group have contributed in their spare time) to raise awareness of supporters' issues. Our marketing and communications have been designed to get people to sit up and take notice; sure some may not like our forthright style but to become the largest Arsenal supporters' group in such a short space of time suggests our message resonates with fans around the country. In fact we are recognised by the key supporters' associations in England and we're in discussions with groups at other clubs, who want to work with us on joint campaigns to tackle the greed which is taking over our game.

What are we about? A better deal for fans - because without the fans, football is nothing.

The BSM: up front for fans of The Arsenal.

Up The Gunners.

'Highbury Harold'

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Has the Arsenal captain's role become diluted?

10/10/2014

6 Comments

Today marks the 48th birthday of Mr Arsenal... the one and only Tony Alexander Adams.

When joining The Arsenal in 1986, George Graham spoke highly of his (then) 20 year old defender: "One day he'll captain Arsenal, and I think eventually he'll captain England". Of course, George's words would come true as Tony became club captain in 1988, and went on to become captain of the national side in the 1990s. By the time he retired from the game, Adams had become The Arsenal's greatest captain of all time; leading the team to nine major honours including league titles in three different decades, and being only one of two Arsenal captains to lift a European trophy.

In recent years, we've seen Arsenal teams get easily brushed aside by opponents, and sometimes end up on the other side of disgraceful, absolutely embarrassing hammerings. Can you imagine teams led by Adams imploding in this way?

The issue of leadership and the role of Arsenal captain got me thinking. Over the past few years, have we had characters talented and strong enough to drive their team on? Below is a brief run-down of the captains I've seen play for The Arsenal and how I rate each of them.

Kenny Sansom (1981 to 1988)
Kenny is the best left back I've ever seen play for The Arsenal. A tough tackler but supremely talented as a footballer, during his career he became England's most capped full back. The Arsenal sides in the early to mid 80s were bang average, but Kenny dragged them through that period. Of course in 1986, George Graham came along and just a few months later, Kenny led his team up the steps at Wembley to lift the Littlewoods Cup..

Tony Adams (1988 to 2002)
Aside from all the silverware he captained his Arsenal teams to, Tony was a true leader. A warrior on the pitch but a fantastic player with it, he knew how to control his defence and he commanded respect from his team. If the performance wasn't up to scratch, Tony would be there bellowing out instructions, jockeying players along and giving them the proverbial boot up the arse if they deserved it. To my mind this is everything a captain should be on the pitch. A real driving force who got the best out of his team.

Patrick Vieira (2003 to 2005)
When Tony Adams announced his retirement from the game before the 2002-03 season, Patrick was given the honour of captaining The Arsenal. I have to say it was very deserved; in my opinion back then, Vieira was the best central midfielder in the world - a truly outstanding footballer and he never hid on the pitch. He was strong, he knew how to put a tackle in, and he was a real leader of his team. Team mates looked up to him (quite literally!) and he physically drove the team to greatness.

Thierry Henry (2005 to 2007)
To me, this is when the role of Arsenal captain started to become less about leadership ability but more about seniority. Of course, Thierry was an absolutely amazing player but more often than not when things weren't going right on the pitch, he spent his time sulking and throwing dirty looks at colleagues who hadn't made the right pass or hadn't given him the ball. is that the sign of a real leader? Not for me. Yes, a legend of The Arsenal but I feel he was made captain to keep him at the club.

William Gallas (2007 to 2008)
Another player who was given the armband due to experience and seniority in what was a young team. A chainsmoking loon who wasn't mentally strong enough to be captain of The Arsenal. When his team chucked away the lead at Birmingham - and in my opinion the league title - Gallas kicked off after the final whistle and sat sulking on the St Andrews pitch. Is that the mark of a professional, of someone who should have the honour of captaining The Arsenal? Not for me.

Cesc Fabregas (2008 to 2011)
Like Henry before him, I feel that Fabregas was awarded the honour in an attempt to keep him sweet. No disputing his skills as a footballer, but he was hardly a driving force and definitely not a leader of the team. Being overplayed, he spent long periods injured and near the end of his Arsenal career while his team was losing at Fulham, Cesc showed off tweeting pictures of himself at the Spanish Grand Prix. He then forced an exit, refusing to join the team on the pre-season tour. Is this how to behave when you have the honour of being Arsenal captain? Never in a million years.

Robin van Persie (2011 to 2012)
Yet another key player in our team who'd been attracting interest from other clubs. The man himself had been publicly slating the club's lack of ambition on the pitch, so what do we do? That's right, make him captain. Having already shown his 'leadership' skills by captaining the side which disgracefully lost the 2011 Carling Cup Final, van Persie for me did absolutely bugger all in the skipper's role. Another case of a top player who isn't cut out to be a true driving force in leading his team.

Thomas Vermaelen (2012 to 2014)
This is one where I honestly thought it might work, and that we'd have a tough character driving the team on. From the start of his Arsenal career, Vermaelen looked the business - a great footballer but one who wasn't afraid to get stuck in. Only problem was he then started to pick up injuries and completely lost his form, making numerous expensive mistakes. I'd hoped he'd be our Vidic, but he ended up being a shadow of what many fans envisaged he'd become in his role as captain.

Mikel Arteta (2014 to date)
Arteta had already been stand-in captain for some time before officially being named the new Arsenal skipper in the summer of 2014. It appears to be yet again a case of an experienced player being given the armband, irrespective of whether or not he's a great leader on the pitch. Despite having "perfecto" hair, for me Mikel's best days as a footballer are behind him. He's often too slow and off the pace of the game, and I don't see him geeing his team up and driving them on.

So what's the overall issue? Is there an issue?

For me, definitely. Since Patrick Vieira left, the role of Arsenal captain has been diluted, disrespected and generally handed out to players who don't really deserve the honour. We haven't had leaders out there on the pitch, driving their teams forward, commanding respect and dragging certain individuals up when they're not putting in the required effort.

Now of course it may be that we don't have the right personalities in the squad to step up and be a true top rate leader, so then questions have to be asked of the man who has constructed these squads. We've gone from being a big, strong, quick team who can mix it up, to a small, weak, pushover team that gets bullied and overrun in games against the better opposition.

When push comes to shove, I feel we need to go back to having a powerful enforcer in the team. A highly-skilled, physical presence who knows what it means to fight for the cause, who knows what it means to be captain of The Arsenal, and who can command respect from his colleagues around him. So... who is that man? Over to you, Arsene.

Up The Gunners.

'Highbury Harold'

6 Comments

Civil war in the stands: give it a rest

Time for fans to stand up against greed

AISA's 'attack' on the BSM: answering the lies

Has the Arsenal captain's role become diluted?

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