A post by @Swales1968
How many of the fifty five thousand Arsenal supporters that will be at the Emirates to watch the opening game of the season against Crystal Palace could be called “loyal supporters”? How many would turn up if Arsenal were in the position that West Ham or Aston Villa find themselves in season after season. Their main objective is to avoid relegation, a good cup run will treated as a second team try out and a hindrance at the expense of three points on a Saturday
So how many supporters would there be?
I started going to watch Arsenal in 1976. Attendances were good then at around thirty thousand, if memory serves me right. (If this figure is incorrect I am sorry)
In the early nineteen eighties regularly, there would be figures of sixteen to twenty thousand. On one snowy night just over fourteen thousand turned up. Yes the standard of football was poor, we were cheering when an Arsenal player had a shot, it didn’t matter that it missed, someone had a shot.
It was the period just after “Chippy Brady” went to Italy, and if you think the Dutch skunk RVP’s move to Manure was bad, it was no where near as bad as Frank Stapleton’s move in the same direction. This was the start of the bad feeling between the two clubs, reports at the time said that at the following Arsenal V Manure game at Highbury that the Arsenal board refused the normal hospitality given to opposition boards. I think this was just hearsay because the one thing that Arsenal have always been good at is to rise above such petty things (personally though, I would love to know it was true)
Anyway, I digress. Attendances? How many of those fifty five thousand would have turned up thirty years ago. Nowhere near the fifty-five to sixty thousand Arsenal get today. Expectations were lower, could Arsenal have a good cup run, could Arsenal qualify for the EUFA cup? Win the league; you’re having a laugh, not the league. It was the same level of expectation that a Spurs supporter has now.
Would the Arsenal fans standing on the old NorthBank and ClockEnd get at the players the way Eboue and Ramsey were got at by fans? NO, we laughed, please don’t get me wrong, we wanted to win, we wanted the best players. We were even happy for a game or two when Lee Chapman signed. (And for all those who think Wenger has signed the worst duds they really need to look up Mr Chapman’s career at Arsenal)
Of today’s supporters and their expectation from Arsenal, I think maybe ten to twenty thousand would be bothered to turn up if Arsenal were in the same situation as Aston Villa or West Ham. There would be more attending than fifteen thousand attending as younger fans that have no chance of getting tickets today would be able to attend.
The atmosphere would be better as these younger voices would get behind the team. The people attending would be going because they love “The Arsenal” and will go whatever position the club find themselves in.
The signs were there a couple of seasons back, attendance figures stopped being read out at the matches, people stopped attending matches even though they had already paid for their tickets and this was in a season when Arsenal finished forth(again)
This is what Arsene Wenger has done to the majority of the supporters, he has raised expectations. He has moved the club forward, a huge leap forward. And today’s supporters expect trophies, demand trophies, forth is seen as a failure without a trophy. That’s why I believe only around ten to fifteen thousand out of the fifty five thousand would be bothered to attend if Arsenal were in the same situation as Aston Villa. Fans only seem to be loyal if a trophy is on its way.
Yes, Yes, Yes, what about the eight seasons without a trophy, I can see the replies now. Look at my inbox hundreds of replies from fans saying “I stayed loyal during this period; I paid for my season ticket which went up when Arsenal wasn’t winning anything. It was a disgrace that it took that long to win something”.
During the eight seasons without winning a trophy, Arsenal have been playing Champions League Football, finished in the top four every season, they have not been relegated like West Ham they have not struggled season after season like Aston Villa have done on a very regular basis.
In the early eighties the fans’ expectations were a cup run and/or qualify for the lowest ranked European competition the EUFA cup. Clubs like Aston Villa or West Ham don’t even have these expectations in today’s league; their only aim is SURVIVAL
Under Wenger Arsenal have won trophies, qualified regularly for the Champions League and are now after a period of belt tightening and careful spending are spending again.
So the question I am asking is: –
WOULD YOU GO TO WATCH ARSENAL IF SURVIVAL WAS THE ONLY TARGET?
Positively Arsenal 
He’s toying with you !
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Hey I’m sorted now.
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What are peoples thoughts on Chambers V Jenkinson?
Is Chambers definitely ahead of Jenkinson in the pecking order? It could be seen as though Jenkinson has been exactly where Chambers is now, last season. If CJ goes on loan and does well does he come back into contention for the right back slot whilst Chambers has been coached into a central role somewhere on the pitch?
I don’t think CJ’s neccesarilly been replaced. Admittedly at 22 he is older than the usual loanee.
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I think he will come back and be our RB for 8 years or more.Foe a kid who came from nowhere and got few opportunities he had some terrific games Bayern away springs to mind.
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I really hope you are right George. When given a chance last season, I can’t remember him putting a foot wrong. He’s a confidence player I think. When given a run he just gets better and better. Surely Wenger is trying to replicate what he has in midfield with British youngsters that are all committed to the cause.
I can’t see how we wouldn’t want to hold onto him. We could possible field Gibbs, Hayden (possibly a way off), Chambers, Jenkinson as a back 4. Wenger has commented that he wants this type of scenario.
I say let’s get Keown and Winterburn back to help Bouldy coach these lads.
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Els. as long as Dixon is banished I don’t mind who comes back
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Really you don’t like Dixon? What did he do, I’ve missed this. I don’t mind him. Especially now he’s finished with his flirting with City.
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He is a typical media parrot.
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I don’t mind him to be honest. He has at times stuck his neck out to defend Arsenal.
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He has at times put the boot in too
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I expect to see Carl back and as I ranted last night I don’t understand a loan deal taking place on 31/7 when neither of our two right backs has kicked a ball for us.
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I remember Lee Dixon, probably the same age as Carl, playing for Stoke, raw, clumsy
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gunner_getcha, I didn’t think you were having a go at me. It’s just that I come off a bit intense when I argue. I argue with my friends the same way in person. We get a bit intense.
Yes, I think it’s a bit difficult to develop a CB at a big club. If you look at the top CBs in the league, they all came from inferior leagues or played in smaller teams. By playing in a smaller team, for example, a player is given room to make mistakes and if he plays in a less intense league, he learns his fundamentals with less stress put on him.
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g_g:
“What are peoples thoughts on Chambers V Jenkinson?
Is Chambers definitely ahead of Jenkinson in the pecking order? It could be seen as though Jenkinson has been exactly where Chambers is now, last season. If CJ goes on loan and does well does he come back into contention for the right back slot whilst Chambers has been coached into a central role somewhere on the pitch?
I don’t think CJ’s neccesarilly been replaced. Admittedly at 22 he is older than the usual loanee.”
I’ve been a huge fan of Jenkinson from the minute I saw him play his first game for us. He’s tall, he has pace, can dribble and can whip in a cross as good as anyone. As far as his loan spell is concerned, let’s face it, this is his last chance to prove to Wenger that he deserves to be in this team. If he plays as good as I’ve seen him play for the England U-21s, then Jenkinson will probably be back in this team next season.
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Wenger presser:
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I love Wenger I flipping do. I just really need him to stop answering every question, beginning with the word “Look….”.
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Anicol, you beat me there then. Dixon was a regular when I started supporting.
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Gains yeah the defender this is a real trouble when you think about it. As you say I can’t think of many, if any defenders that have made their name at the club they began at. Or played at from 17 ish.
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Arsene’s tucken ova twatter:
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WenBanta
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Lest we forget
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WenBanta (maybe or not)
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“If he plays as good as I’ve seen him play for the England U-21s, then Jenkinson will probably be back in this team next season.”
Especially given that Arsene wants to leave that legacy of a ‘British core’. I suspect he has not quite made his mind up about Jenks and this really is his last shot. I really hope he rises to the challenge and proves that he is Arsenal quality. His absence gives Chambers time to establish himself at CB or DM, whilst providing emergency right back cover. Debuchy better stay fit after all that!
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“Alright I’m off to bed. Going to London tomorrow for the Emirates Cup….hope to meet up with Passenal and whoever else would,like to meet. Post on here and twitter for updates or use my email (those who have it)”
Are you just there Saturday or both days? Sunday would probably be best for me meeting up.
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Passenal
Both days
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Whey hey hey……I have tickets for the Community Shield……
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I’m in Block 140 for the Shield GP – where are you sitting ?
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Campbell is playing..
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Ah ha YaYa – nice ball, nice finish
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Yaya with the hat trick. Campbell with a goal and an assist. Bellerin running things out on the right. I’d be concerned if I were Debuchy.
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Well that has been a pleasure to watch – and another 45 to go
Pleased for Sanogo who has deserved this afternoon after a lot of sweat last season, Campbell enjoying himself, Bellerin very slick
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This squad has so much depth.
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Well done young guns! That was a lot of fun. I’ll catch up with you tomorrow Georgaki as I have to go meet some friends now. There are loads of things to talk about individual players contributions today
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Well, looks as if Sanchez Alexis may have to go out on loan to Crystal Palace. Can’t have him just warming the bench with Ox, Campbell and Sanogo as first team choices.
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What a fantastic day…..I am unable to articulate my sentiments….Bellerin….Bellerin…..Bellerin…Campbell… Campbell..Sanogo…ALEXIS……Sorry, I meeting friends now…
Anicoll I don’t know yet where I’ll be sitting I let you know and would love to meet up again….
Mustn’t get too excited but I liked what our reserve team could muster….
Look forward to meeting tomorrow Passenal…
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Arsene Wenger on Chambers…
“I thought he played very well, was intelligent, good decision making and calm on the ball, good in the air. He is 19 years old, and what he did is very promising. I told you we will have a core of English players, you have to trust me, I will get you slowly a good national team”.
Arsene knows what he’s doing and if England (media, plundits and arm chair managers in the guise of arsenal fans) know what is good for them concerning the national team, they should stop trying to hound this visionary out of Arsenal & England!
What a man!! Even has the English national team in his plans!
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Strikers:
Giroud
Sanogo
Attacking Midfielders:
Campbell
Walcott
Chamberlain
Sanchez
Rosicky
Ozil
Santi
Podolski
Gnabry
Central midfielders:
Diaby
Wilshere
Ramsey
Zelalem
Arteta
Flamini
Coquelin
Left Back:
Monreal
Gibbs
Miquel
Centre Back:
Mertesacker
Koscielny
Miquel
Chambers
Right Back:
Debuchy
Chambers
Bellerin
Goalkeeper:
Szczesny
Martinez
Ospina
Holy crap.
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I bet now he’s gone and said that, there will be a concerted effort to “scramble Arsene’s eggs” by opposition managers who will encourage their players to kick and foul our players, referees who will let such “challenges” go unpunished, media and pundits’ analysis focussing on the “weaknesses of Arsenal” and the gullible arsenal fan lapping it up and turning on the players, manager and club! See! I don figured it out!
…………roll out the cannons boys! We’re taking no prisoners!
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Gains
It’s impressive innit….
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Santi Claws
Read my blog tomorrow re: Take no prisoners LOL
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Sure will NB! Gains, that would make a lot of teams have a running stomach epidemic in their camp the night before the game!
There’s a lot of football to go round and keep everyone happy the competition for places will surely bring out the best in each individual player which bodes well for the team as a whole. Exciting times ahead!
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I have a ticket for tomorrow for sale:
Upper Tier, Block 111, Good view. Price – £35 (actual price from Arsenal)
Please contact pedantic George if you are interested and he will get in touch with me.
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That Chalmers bloke was good – when did we sign him ?
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Just seen it. Nice easy start. Thought the Sanogo/Campbell pairing worked well. They cost a combined total of one million pounds.
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Wow
Haven’t seen Santi Claws on the blog in yonks.
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Haven’t seen today’s game, but judging from reactions everyone is as happy as pigs in muck.
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DC
Some of the play today was outstanding. When you consider some of these players have not trained a lot together it was encouraging for the future. Bellerin was very good
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Sup DC! I was on a self imposed sabbatical from commenting but I’ve been reading the posts and comments. Anyways, the embargo has been lifted so I will be appearing a lot more in the comment section. Good to be home!
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Can I just say how incredibly proud I am that Aaron Ramsey is ours? A truly world class player and the best one in our squad … and considering the quality of players we have that’s no easy feat. He looks absolutely ready to do one thing and one thing only: continue where he left off at the end of last season. And damn, but even as a bloke I have to admit that the beard makes him look quite dashing!
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I’m still buzzing big time from having watched Joel Campbell in an Arsenal shirt. I’ve been waiting for this moment since I first saw him at the Copa America three years ago. Imagine, I was sat watching this talented kid who I thought would fit like a glove at Arsenal and then Arsene goes and buys him. This is the third time this happens. First with Pires when he was at Metz, then Hleb when he was at Stuttgart and now Campbell. It’s an awesome feeling.
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