The Grove’s Missing Thousands – Where Are They?

This is Arsenal the modern super-club.

They wanted to treat the supporters like customers, and hey guess what?

We now act like customers.

The players show no loyalty so it is no big surprise that a lot of supporters make less effort.

Who can blame supporters when they sit through matches in all weather only to get a wave from Eboue at the end.

You get back back what you give, and at the moment Arsenal football club and the players give fans very,very little in terms of appreciation for our support.

Vic, I think there are many things that contribute to this. With the internet it’s so easy to buy and sell tickets at a silly price. You get the impression those with an eye for turning season tickets into a profit caught the worm … early! It wasn’t so easy at Highbury because of the size of the stadium and demand from the real supporters was high.

I think this is evident when any club expands. The Emirates had a big capacity and perhaps there aren’t as many hardcore Arsenal fans as we think …

An example then: I bought tickets off one guy this year who produced about 8 season tickets from his pocket and said pick three. How does he have these in his possession? I have friends who bought silver memberships too and don’t always go.

On the last day of the season I was offered three tickets for Fulham. I was owed £50 from one friend for a Porto ticket but stil turned him down and went to watch Dagenham away at Darlington instead. Less expensive and better performance from the players in League Two than the ones i had witnessed at home to Man City the week before.

PEOPLE ARE PISSED OF GETTING TOOK FOR A RIDE WATCHING WALLCRAP, DIABALOCAL AND COMPANY. CAN YOU BLAME THEM

More bullshit from Fabregas, of course it’s in his hands.

He has a contract with Arsenal, if he had an ounce of integrity he would honour that contract but, like so many other players he’s really only interested in his own bank account.

His “love” for Arsenal, his “respect” for Wenger and for the fans has disappeared like a snowflake on a hot barbecue.

Note to Gazidis, offer him to Real and Inter see if you can start an auction.

The sooner he goes the better.

There has been some debate of this within AISA too, and I recall it being said that the club does announce the number of tickets sold, not the number who turn up. The difference can be as much as 3% of people not turning up.

As I understand it, the selling on service for those with tickets only clicks in after all the tickets are sold, and in games against Blackburn etc this can be only a matter of days before the game itself – so effectively for those with seasons who can’t come there is no official selling on.

If I can put in my own situation as an example I think it might explain a little.

I live in the Midlands, and my partner lives in Cardiff, so for both of us, getting to and from games is a problem. We are both getting on, and have responsibilities to parents, children and grandchildren, and all can interfere with getting to a game. Some may feel that Arsenal is more important than attending a four year old’s birthday party – its a decision.

My partner also can’t ever make midweek games from Cardiff – and I have on several occasions been left with a spare ticket. The reason generally is I have offered it to someone who has assured me that he has desperately wanted to see Arsenal, but can’t get a ticket, or can’t afford one.

I offer mine, and say, ok you are unemployed, don’t even think of paying. Be my guest.

Wonderful, he cries, and doesn’t show.

There are many reasons. I missed one home game this last year – Hull – because when I came to leave home there were already notices saying that there were unlikely to be trains back, because of the snow.

Life is complex – 2% or 3% now showing is not bad. Compare with other clubs – they have much the same situation.

Tony Attwood

Vic,

I have been involved with the US supporters club. They do not foot the bill for people not turning up to the game.

Bollox Harper, the guy has given us brilliant service, he says he loves us and you’re a mug if you can’t see it. i hope he stays, if he goes good luck to him. he’s honouring his contract, he understands and accepts that if we don’t want to sell him he stays an arsenal player, why shouldn’t he want to move to the best club in the world if they really want him. Barca are better than us,simple as.