What's It All About??

15/3/2013

By our guest blogger @Swales1968

Trophies that’s what we want and we want one as soon as possible and if not before, we don’t care how we get one we just want one. We pay the highest prices in the world to watch football and we deserve more than we are getting. Stan just sits in his ivory tower watching (or not as the case may be) down on us plebes paying through the nose to keep him in a fashion he has become accustomed to.

You probably get where I am going to on this, in fact you could
probably open up many a blog or Arsenal forum and read words to this effect on most if not all of them. Well, I am going to stop you right there, what are Arsenal doing wrong, what is silent Stan doing wrong, why in 2013 are Arsenal in the position they are.

Let’s take a step back and look at the bigger picture, football as most of us know it has changed so much in the recent past. When I started watching I stood on the old North Bank of the Arsenal Stadium, the peanut seller would walk past and to get a drink well it was some little hut up the back somewhere. The football was average at best and the crowds apart from the London derby’s and the odd Manchester United or Liverpool game were sparse to say the least. What did we look forward to a good cup run and beating Spurs that was it Arsenal’s
season in a nutshell.

Then in 1992 a monster arrived and changed football forever, money was the new thing and lots of it. At first football clubs thought they could just plod along as they have been, but as the years past clubs had to change. The more money came in the more money went out through wages, transfer fees and agents some clubs realised the need for change. The Arsenal was one of these clubs then with the help of a spectacled Frenchman they looked to the future they saw that The
Arsenal Stadium was not big enough and the income they gained from it was not enough to sustain the club. So, ambitiously they decided to move, not far but move they did. The world was in an economic boom house prices were high and so were land prices, but by some good dealing with the banks Arsenal finally got the finances together.

To help, Arsenal decided to build flats at the Arsenal Stadium the money they hoped would help cover the shortage in funds for the playing staff, but as we all know the crash happened and Arsenal were lucky to come out with a profit. The new stadium opened to a fanfare but all was not as it seemed the sponsorship deals were loaded in favour of the sponsors due to the Arsenals need for upfront cash. Arsenal for all intense and purposes were broke belts needed to be tightened and kept tight.

Prudence was needed; buy to sell was the mantra live within your means, which would have been fine except another dark cloud popping its head over the horizon. The money was coming bigger and larger than was ever seen before and it swept most away. The wages grew; the transfer price grew could Arsenal keep up with the belt that tight just by the skin of their teeth they did. With all things something had to give the buying to sell began to flounder the quality was not there to replace the quality leaving and time is against the young
learning their trade.

So, where this leading you ask and what has this got to do with the bigger picture. Well, here’s the thing Arsenal have a new (ish) stadium state of the art it holds 60,000 (ish) fans every other week. There are clubs in the League that would cut their right hands off for that. Look down the road what do they need more than ever to keep up,take a look up in Liverpool, Everton a biggish club unable to move,can't redevelop stuck. If they do move to a new 50,000 seated stadium they will make £4 million a year extra, in the grand scheme of things that is peanuts (roasted peanuts). That is where Arsenal could be at this very moment still at The Arsenal Stadium looking over our shoulders at what could have been.

Yes, but I hear you shout we might have this new stadium, but we are paying the highest prices for tickets and have very little to show for it and a board that does not put a penny towards the club. The incoming of the mega owner has I think twisted the way fans look at what a board should do. Back in the day all they had to do was spend some money on a player, higher or fire the manager the cost to themselves was small and affordable to them. Now with the Russian and Middle Eastern money being pumped into clubs the general thought is that every owner board member etc. Should put huge chunks of money into their teams, but how many really do and how would they get their money back.

The cost of tickets is high, but how many teams in Arsenal's position would not do the same would Spurs not have high ticket prices to fund a new ground (their ticket prices are not that far behind at the moment) the only way Everton could make more money from the move to a new ground would be to charge more. Liverpool has announced an average 6% rise in ticket prices next season and I would expect more clubs to
go the same way. As much as some do not like it football is a business and as such needs to be run as one, some seem to think all clubs can run like Chelsea or Manchester City.

The cost has been high to you me and the club, but I see the club moving forward in 2014 both shirt deals were due to be up, the Emirates deal has been extended at roughly double the deal Arsenal had before if the same can be done with Nike or Adidas then Arsenal will be in a good position. 2014 is also the end of Mr Wenger’s contract is this a coincidence two major sponsorship deals and the manager's contract up in the same year or have Arsenal been playing the long game giving Wenger the task of keeping Arsenal in a champions league place while keeping the club afloat and raising the cash levels to a height that would secure the club for the future.

Two things can happen in 2014 Wenger can stay and carry one with rebuilding his side or a new manager will be signed and will be given a large sum of money to spend on players. A sum of money that without the work that Wenger and the rest of the club have done in the past years would not be there. Tom Fox & Ivan Gazidis are looking at changing the way Arsenal run as a business looking to cut real wages, but increasing the personal sponsorship deals they are also looking at building a bigger sponsorship portfolio for the club along the lines of Manchester United. This is where Stan is doing his job changing Arsenal from the inside changing them from a club that needed the money in quick to a club with long-term planning, looking to the future and not the here and now. To do this though is taking time strategies have to be put in place and lessons have to learnt.

So, where are Arsenal now well to me at least they are where they should be a team fighting for the last Champions League position. Should they be higher maybe with a bit more quality but the position that Arsenal have found themselves in its difficult. Arsenal is in the position of buying that slightly unproven player or the player that needs training on where as Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea can pay for the fully fledged article. Yes we and the other clubs fighting for that 4th position can go out and pick up that one great player, but not the two or three it will take to get you fighting for the top positions. So, you have to do what Arsenal have done pick up the emerging talent and hope they can come on leaps and
bounds or watch as they fall flat on their faces and disappear never to be seen again. Both of these scenarios can be seen in Wenger's reign. The problem with the emerging talent route is the wages you have to pay for promise and if that promise does not pay off then you are left with a high wage for no football on the pitch.

This scenario also leaves Arsenal with another problem of keeping their best players when you are up against clubs like Chelsea and Manchester City who do not really have the time or patience to bring on youth players and want the best no matter how much it costs in wages, transfer fees or agent’s fees it leaves Arsenal as a prime target. Clubs know Arsenal need and want to balance their books.

For me Arsenal, its board and its manager have been looking to the future they took a step back and thought about how the new money in football would affect them and the club. They took a long-term strategy one that was full of danger, one that could have quite easily seen them in an Aston Villa situation but to this point have made it work for them under the guidance of Mr Wenger and the rest of the board. I think they may move the goal posts this summer and spend some
money to keep themselves in the 4th or 5th position but the situation is not as bleak as many self-proclaimed experts suggest.

64 Comments

Big Al. link

15/03/2013 4:32am

For me, this is the long and short of it. Down to a T.

You Are My Gooners

15/03/2013 7:46am

Thanks for the feedback. We are trying to build up a group of Arsenal fans with differing views to make these blogs interesting and thought provoking. Glad you enjoyed it. @Swales1968 did a cracking job and argued his position well.

North Bank Dan

15/03/2013 11:13am

Very well put. In my opinion spot on.

You Are My Gooners

15/03/2013 11:18am

Really glad you liked it. We are trying to build up a team of bloggers with differing views to give an interesting perspective on our club.

@Rich_Gooner

15/03/2013 6:02am

Totally agree. At last someone who actually see's past the here and now glory boys. Wenger gets little or no credit for his part in providing the platform for the board to deliver this sustainability, in fact he has been disgustingly lambasted. Love the peanut reference by the way. "And theyre roasted".

You Are My Gooners

15/03/2013 7:48am

Glad you liked it. We are trying to get different Gooners to write blogs and @Swales1968 did a cracking job. If you would fancy a go, let us know. Doesn't matter what your view is....

Andrew Crawshaw

15/03/2013 8:56am

I think you have it about right, We will have Arsene for next year, but after that who knows, will he want to continue in the manner of Fergie, accept a boardroom position at Arsenal or will he fancy one more spin of the dice somewhere else. If it is to be the last, who on the board has the knowledge to properly evaluate successors. Whatever happens we will still have the nucleus of a good team in place along with the reinforcements who are bound to arrive in summer. We are also financially sound and that position is strengthening compared to all except the teams owned by Oligarchs, Sheikhs and Countries.

For now lets take each game as it comes and try for the full 30 points available, enjoy our successes and not beat ourselves up too much if we don't quite achieve that aim. Full support for all of the players and staff is required in every game. We all profess to support the Arsenal so let's not fight amongst ourselves, there are enough villains in the media seeking to discredit our team. Lets make it difficult for them.

You Are My Gooners

15/03/2013 11:20am

Thanks for the feedback, it was written by @Swales1968 as a guest blogger. We like to get different fans with differing views to write so we get an interesting blog. If you ever fancy contributing a piece on any Arsenal related subject we would love to have you join us.

peter k

15/03/2013 9:42am

A very good read..IMO it will only be when Le Boss eventually leaves,
that 99% of the Arsenal fans will realise what a fantastic manager he was for us.

You Are My Gooners

15/03/2013 11:22am

Thanks for the feedback, @Swales1968 did a great job. We are looking for Arsenal fans to contribute blog pieces, so if you fancy doing something we would be glad to have you contribute.,

Evan Ian Elmes

15/03/2013 11:39am

Personally think the blogger has forgot what it means to support the Arsenal, its a club that should have members/fans supporting their well run club through thick and thin times. Not let the board run the club for purely profit. Its a sad day when long serving fans let the wool get pulled over their eyes.

You Are My Gooners

15/03/2013 11:57am

Thanks for your comments. We are trying to give as many fans a voice as want to write a blog, doesn't matter what their views are. Fancy writing one explaining how you feel or on any other Arsenal related subject? Would love to hear what you have to say.

I am sure @Swales1968 will reply with his comments specifically about the points you make. Healthy debate is all good. Fans might have differing views but we all want our club to be successful on the pitch!

Swales1968

16/03/2013 12:04am

Thanks for the reply:-
I don't think it is a case of having the wool pulled over our eyes, more having a different outlook. I and others can not say with any degree with certainty what is happening at Arsenal at board level and this is one of the problems as fans we face. Could Stan and the board come out and tell us what their plans are? Maybe but at what damage to the income of the club, would you invest money through sponsorship or tickets if you were told by the major shareholder that the club would deliberately set a plan that would see them struggle?

On a personal level I will defend Arsenal against the likes of Adrian Durham who would quite happily see Arsenal fail. I have not forgotten what it is to support Arsenal I just see things from a different angle. Football is all about opinions and at this time in the life of Arsenal football club the opinions of what seems 2 groups of Arsenal supporters differs greatly. I have read and heard lots from those who see what is wrong at Arsenal but only bits and pieces from those like me who have the differing viewpoint. Perhaps it is easier to find fault than to step back and see the bigger picture, but what all fans especially at home games need to do is to get behind the team on the pitch for the full 90 mins. What we don't need is at the first sign of trouble in a game to start having ago at Wenger, the board or whichever player is today's scapegoat.

Campus Gooner link

15/03/2013 1:00pm

Enjoyable read from @Swales. Really well said, although, I won't totally agree that a new ground (which isn't exactly new anymore) is the reason we haven't won a trophy in a thousand years, it definitely played a part, perhaps a bigger part than other factors put together but you only need to look at how close we've come / could have come with slight tweaks here and there. I'd leave you to figure what those 'tweaks' were, well, are. Enjoyable nonetheless.

You Are My Gooners

15/03/2013 11:45pm

Thanks for reading. We are trying to get Arsenal fans with a wide selection of views to write pieces. We want to encourage debate. If you fancy having a go, let us know.

Swales1968

16/03/2013 12:24am

@campus Gooner thanks for reading

Perhaps with hindsight a few tweaks here and there would of seen Arsenal win a trophy, but what has happened has happened and it is how Arsenal, Wenger and the board go forward into 2014

eie

16/03/2013 1:40am

What a wankblaster

@Swales1968

16/03/2013 2:06am

@eie

An interesting term of phrase would you care to elaborate on what you think is wrong with the post.

Daniel

16/03/2013 5:05am

@eie, simple, but accurate

Daniel

16/03/2013 5:03am

For me you're either someone with more money, than common sense or someone, who has only seen football on television.
Either way, you don't seem to have a lot of knowledge about world football and you're full of the shit, that the board and Wenger are trying to feed the fans. Our club on steady decline and mainly thanks to the people like you, who'll eat any amount of crap those greedy people will throw at them. And by 'our club' I don't mean yours, as I can bet, you won't be there, when the club will reach the end of the road it's currently on...

You Are My Gooners

16/03/2013 8:29am

Thanks for your comments. I guess you don't agree with what @swales1968 has said in his piece. Would like to offer you the chance to write a piece yourself with your views. As we have said, we are keen for fans with different views to get the chance to express their views on what needs doing. There are many fans out there that aren't happy with the current set up so would be good to see what you would do differently.

Daniel

16/03/2013 11:41am

I would love to, but I'm afraid that would be only a waste of time as everything I'd be able to write, was already written before.
I can tell you now: Wenger needs the sack, along with the board, as they had their chance to make The Arsenal one of the superclubs with big modern stadium and they blew it in the name of chasing the profits and big sum on the savings account. Today we're struggling to even get to the 4th spot, not to mention competing for any trophy watsoever. At this rate in few years we're going to have half empty stadium as even the richest JCL's won't accept paying so much for watching some mid-table team

Daniel

16/03/2013 11:43am

and sorry for the multiple replies, the script asked me to try again, so I did. It might be worth looking at

N5Gooner

16/03/2013 6:52am

I totally agree with eie. It's nice to think that Arsenal fans are being encouraged to air their views in this manner. But I just wasted a good few minutes reading this load of tosh.
Wankblaster indeed.

You Are My Gooners

16/03/2013 8:33am

As we have said to Daniel, it would be good to hear what you want done instead. We are trying to encourage some healthy debate and I am sure you have some interesting things to say. If you want to write a piece we are more than willing to publish it. We have our own views here at @youaremygooners see the 'ten things' on our website, but are open to others views. After all we all want our team to be a success on the pitch.

myoldman

16/03/2013 7:53am

what a fantastic piece.I will now print it off and wipe my arse with it.

You Are My Gooners

16/03/2013 8:36am

I am glad that your arse benefited from the blog ! We are building up a range of bloggers with differing views as there is nothing like some healthy discussion. If you want to write a piece explaining your thoughts, more than happy to post it. Offered the same to the others with a differing view from @Swales1968 We dont all have to agree except that we want a successful team.

Monkfish

16/03/2013 8:04am

EIE makes an interesting point.

However Arsene is the best manager we've ever had since the invention of football in 92/93

Swales1968

16/03/2013 8:21am

Thanks for the constructive replies to my post

@Daniel can you tell me how people like me are helping make the club decline. What rubbish(my word not yours) are the board and Wenger feeding us?

Daniel

16/03/2013 11:33am

Few things from the top of my head:
The stadium was built to maintain low ticket prices - that's what I've heard before they've even started building
The rubbish that You can't build a new stadium and still compete - well, as far as I know 20 years ago, Old Trafford didn't look like today
end of December - Wenger saying that he's going to be very bust, then month later he wakes up and panic-buys some good (as for now), but cup tied player
"You can't sell two of your best players and pretend to be a big club..." - remember that quote and what happened few weeks after that being said
"We've sold RVP for footballing reasons..." - another classic

I could go on the whole day, but that would be pointless. Anyone, who doesn't see this as pure madness, won't understand any reason. Wenger and the board are leeches feeding on football being very specific business which relies on the fact, that the club is big part of their lives and they have not much choice, but accept being ripped off or have part of their soul taken away from them due to some bastard trying to make millions on their passion.

And people like yourself (wheteher you're wealthy Rupert, JCL or both) are one of the reasons, why the club ir run as it is! I can not understand, how anyone can even try to justify them. The only explanation is that you've never been to the game and you have no idea, how much does it cost to the average fan... and you can't just stop going just like that...

@Swales1968

17/03/2013 2:38pm

And that is a big problem Arsenal fans have according to you it is pointless going on because I and others like me wont change our minds but the same can be said for the Stan out, board out, Wenger out groups.

iceman

16/03/2013 9:14am

What ever happened to our working class game? the new breed of fan hold this delusional point of view that the club is being run responsibly.
Open your eyes and look how well our club is run for the benefit of the shareholders.
we the fans will be here long after the shareholder has sold up,
lining their pockets is not the answer.
football without fans is nothing.
we are losing die hard fans every season, being replaced by JCLs while soccer is the flavour of the month.
if you don't do nothing about it don't complain.
btw im not interested in writing a free blog. Plenty of views can be found on various sites.

Daniel

16/03/2013 11:47am

That's the point. I just don't seem to be able to keep my thoughts short.
You deserve a cold pint of vodka!

@Swales1968

17/03/2013 2:35pm

The working class game has not been around for a long time now. Football is nothing without the fans but the fans have nothing without the club its a fine balance
How do Arsenal get the new die hard fans if the JCLs are not allowed to come to games?

You Are My Gooners

16/03/2013 11:06am

I can see your view as I worry that although Stan hasn't taken any cash out of the club yet, that £130M in the account must look very tempting!

Have you seen our 'ten things' we would like to change about the club?

Thanks for spending the time giving us your view, you are certainly not alone in feeling how you do!

Modern football is in danger of forgetting the fans that have been there through thick and thin. Our board needs to remember that.

You Are My Gooners

16/03/2013 12:08pm

Don't worry I deleted them all, god knows why it posts things more than once sometimes! Technology is a bit like Gervinho ..... Impassible to guess what it's doing !

You Are My Gooners

16/03/2013 12:11pm

I think you are one of the first ones to articulate that view so well. Wish you would write a piece as you make a lot of sense and I think that's something that has been lost by others who just scream abuse and never offer a reasoned argument.

Wildie

16/03/2013 12:43pm

It's all grist to the mill

#BringBackAlexJames

Swales1968

16/03/2013 2:57pm

Right can I just clear a couple of things up I started going to Arsenal in 1980 and from 1982 to 1989 only missed a couple of away games from 1990 to 1995 I had to give up going due to buying a house getting married etc and since 1995 I have had a ST. To you I might be full of shit but to be honest you don't know me apart from what I have written on here. What ever happens I will be there at the end where ever or when ever that maybe I will be watching Arsenal until I am no longer physically able even if that is in division 2.
I am an average fan like 1000's of other fans who have a different opinion to others but what I try to do is to look at things with a clear head and not resort to pointless name calling or huge assumptions about people

In your opinion I might be a wankblaster but I dont care I have my opinion and it is an opinion I have come to by myself. There are usually 2 sides to every argument and I am coming from one side. A side I have found on forums is not really argued against but shouted down with abuse.

Yes there are problems at Arsenal I can see that but would sacking Wenger and the board sort these problems out or would they just add problems to problems and how long would it take to change all the things you are not happy with.

What I did with my post is look at what has happened with the Arsenal over the past years and try to understand what has happened. I have tried to look through the BS and mis-information that has been put out by the board, Wenger, the media, fan groups and forums etc I have tried to look at what Arsenal are doing for the future of the club not just the here and now.

If your not happy with that fine but argue your point don't assume you know me and don't resort to name calling

Swales1968

16/03/2013 3:26pm

"The rubbish that You can't build a new stadium and still compete - well, as far as I know 20 years ago, Old Trafford didn't look like today"

That is not a whole new stadium yes they have built but in 10,000 stages that did not have to be funded in one lump. Look at how hard Spurs have found building a new ground Liverpool & Everton have found similar problems

You Are My Gooners

16/03/2013 5:05pm

I don't get the name calling & personal attacks by some fans against others. We all want the sane thing, just have some different ideas on how to achieve it. I think people resort to it when either they have no ideas of their own or don't have the brains to have a sensible discussion.

80sgoon

17/03/2013 2:36pm

Can't believe you stood in the north bank and have come up with that shit, middle age and a middle class life had made you go soft in your head. if you took your football head off for a moment you would realise your a mug being mugged off, please go to your bathroom and check the mirror you my have a arsenal plc barcode on your neck.

@Swales1968

17/03/2013 2:43pm

Again whats with the personal abuse why cant you just explain what you think is wrong with my post. Yes you think it's shit but why?
yes I am middle aged, middle class maybe but if working all my life make me that then yes I am. I have a view on what is happening at Arsenal and have taken the time to write them down.

myoldman

17/03/2013 3:12pm

Yeah,but what i want to know is a custard cream really just an albino bourbon?

80sgoon

17/03/2013 3:26pm

Look you are a fan a member of the club you are part of the arsenal family and should know better, we have allowed our club to be a plc and fuck the supporters why because we have fans who have come along and with fans like you from the past who can still afford it doing fuckall. United and Liverpool fans would never let t happen. There are many like me but whenever we raise our voice we are shouted down by the new breed and old ones like you who can afford it.

@Swales1968

17/03/2013 4:12pm

I would suggest you join the Black Scarf Movement/we want our Arsenal back group who are very vocal in their protests against the board.
To say Liverpool or united fans wouldn't let this happen is a huge sweeping statement you can not say for sure what those fans would do. United are a different beast to Arsenal and we may only see what happens to them once Sir Alex leaves. As for Liverpool if it gave them the bigger stadium that they crave then who knows what they would do

You Are My Gooners

17/03/2013 3:33pm

@swales1968 is entitled to his opinion about the club. Instead of resorting to personal attacks, tell us what you would do? It's easy to throw insults around, harder to argue your points of view articulately. Let's hear what you think?

You Are My Gooners

17/03/2013 3:35pm

This isn't about class, all fans are entitled to a view. Fine for others to not agree as well but not cool to make it personal. Let's see if he can articulate his view better than his personal insults.

You Are My Gooners

17/03/2013 4:12pm

No ! They are leagues apart!

80sgoon

17/03/2013 10:20pm

Liverpool fans will never allow there mates to be priced out new stadium or not, if you think they are like us then you are deluded. They chased out yank owners who where trying to take the club away from them. united fans joined together and stopped buying the clubs merchandise and wore a protest scarf and are the owners allows back in to the ground, I'm not sure. United have stopped trying to increase ST. You have spent more money on Arsenal than wiggy at ours, he has not spent a penny of real money his shares have increased in price and he has a eager billionaire happy to buy them from him. Basil forty is in charge of a 150mil a year budget and making a complete mess of it and helping himself to 5% of it while falling behind the top 2 more and more and lets not Forget we have made the top 2 stronger buy selling our assets to them, I've not started on Hillwood friar gazidis yet, all desperate for top 4 so they can earn more money. WAKE UP

You Are My Gooners

18/03/2013 3:24am

I feel the need to correct you on a factual inaccuracy in your comment. The Liverpool fans did not chase the previous American owners out of the club. They were unable to meet the debt repayments they had taken on to make the purchase of the club and the bank foreclose on them. This took Liverpool into the ownership of the banks, who subsequently sold it to the current American owners.

I am sure the Liverpool fans were unhappy with the previous owners but in no way did they have an impact on the change of ownership. It was purely a business transaction.

As for Man Utd, their revenues have increased from the commercial side of the business so this doesnt seem to tally with your comment that it forced Utd to change. They are still a club with huge debts placed on them by their owners, who did not put much cash into the purchase of the club. There were some small scale organised protests but I dont think for a second this stopped the owners coming to games. To say otherwise is wrong.

As for the rest of your comment, it is unclear what you are getting at? Who is helping themselves to 5% of what? I agree selling RVJudas to Man Utd was not a good move, but who else have we sold that has gone on to make a huge impact... Toure (Rarely plays), Nasri (played for a while but was ineffective), Adebayor (last seen playing for the Scum), Clichy (Plays ok but gave the goal away at the weekend), but we have got Gibbs and now Monreal in that position) We got great money for all of them and dont think it was bad business.

80sgoon

17/03/2013 10:44pm

I'm AMF and believe our brothers in the North will start the fight back for our clubs, I am a BSM member and would love every club to have a supporters group sitting at HO of every club. If things carry on as they are the emeritus will be full of zimmer frames and paying £2k for a ST very very soon. Let's look at the Germans and get the north bank and clockend back and then you will see passion on and off the pitch, let's fight the board on pricing allocation selling of assets and poor management of our club instead of writing blogs excusing them.

You Are My Gooners

18/03/2013 3:28am

As I've said in my other comments to you, I struggle to see what it is you want. You seem to want a fight and to replace everybody... but what is your plan?

Why not write a blog for us setting out your views. I might not agree with all of what you say, I do with some and want to have a clean debate.

Think you will have some thought provoking points, so why not do that rather than make small comments here?

We have set out what we would like to see here.http://youaremygooners.weebly.com/ten-changes.html Dont know if you have seen it?

Swales1968

18/03/2013 6:02am

Yes in theory a fans group on the board maybe a good idea but I am not 100% sure how this would work.

£2k a season ticket, Arsenals highest ST is £1,955. a mile or so down the road the highest ST is £1,845 that's £110 less. It is until you add in the Arsenal ticket is with 7 cup games Spurs ST I think comes with 2. Spurs fans are paying for 5 games less and at £81 to sit in those seats I think if season tickets were issued the same way then Spurs would be paying £2,250 for 7 cup games and 19 PL games. A point many in the media are happy to over look.

The German system would not work in this country to many things would have to change from lower leagues right up to the PL that would see many clubs go under.

Fighting the board-
pricing-what price should a ticket be and how would you recover the lost income?
Allocation-moving away fans to the upper tier then charge them less. Again how would you recover lost income and how would Arsenal fans sitting in the same seats feel about paying £40+ for the same seat?
Selling of assets-what like a properly run business does to help it break even at the end of each financial year?
Poor management of the club-Please expand and tell us where it is poorly run and how you would do a better job?

Swales1968

18/03/2013 6:26am

80sgoon

18/03/2013 7:03am

Swales stop talking business bollox, you cannot sell your assets to your rivals in football FFS. Yes we sold Stapleton to united but I paid 50p to get in and tbh stapeleton was shit and so where united at the time.

Fans group that has a govt backed guidelines on pricing ticket allocation supporters being banned etc, this group answers to its members and the club have to consult them on these matters.

We did not leave high bury to compete with swamp dwellers so please do not bring them into the debate, let's talk Manu is this not why we put ST prices up is this not the reason why we moved stadium, check the most successful club in England prices and compare.

The German module is more about the fans not the finance, lower tier north bank and clockend for those who sing stand and create the passion, this is not for families or those who are on there iPads during a game, £700 ST MAXIMUM.

Lost revenue is made up by the TV deals, don't be fooled I personally do not believe the PL will continue in the current format I can see a Euro league very soon along with a summer league in the east.

I know three wealthy men who do not support us but have 8 ST between them and guess what they only turn up when it's a big game, this to me is bad management of ticketing.

As for wenger his list of awful players on top wages this is bad management.

I don't do sponsorship talk but I've read enough to know that's been badly managed.

What would I do that's different......ask kroenke to fuck off and start dealing with Usmanov.

There are far more articulate fans than me but I'm telling you how I and my whole family feel about the club now and how fans like you just plod along allowing the club to continue without question alienating more and more of its old fan base.

@Swales1968

18/03/2013 9:39am

I think I cover most of that in my original post on here

@Swales1968

20/03/2013 6:54am

What will Usmaniov do differently?

Romfordrog

29/03/2013 8:21am

It's all grist to the mill

@Swales68

31/03/2013 3:00am

Then the club should maximise the potential, shouldn't they?

Bob Seedhouse

08/05/2013 2:00am

Brilliant blog!!! I can sort of see why the now got to have it now nobs don't agree with it ,but at the end of the day they are P. Morgan fans,not proper afc fans.The one thing Arsene lacks lately is that bit of luck.No luck with injuries,mistakes,and as you say way of the world .Im sure things will start to take off next season. Rambling now,must stop...cheers Bob...

@Swales1968

08/05/2013 2:10am

As I keep saying sometimes you need to step back and look at the bigger picture regarding Arsenal and all that has happened over the past 10+ years. It's all to easy to get dragged into the whole 8 years without a trophy argument.

You Are My Gooners

08/05/2013 2:06am

Thanks for spending the time to comment. Glad you liked it.

@Swales1968

28/07/2014 4:11pm

Arsenal are looking much better financially now in 2014 with the new shirt deal, renegotiated naming rights and Wengers contract signed. 2014 was defiantly the year when it looks like it has all come together, long term planning by the board and Mr Wenger seems to have paid off. We will just have to see if the money spent on players sees the club push for more silverwear.

What's It All About??

By our guest blogger @Swales1968

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