Onlinegooner has heard via sources at the Arsenal Supporters’ Trust that when the season ticket prices for gold members are announced towards the end of this season, the reduction in the VAT rate will be applied. So a £925 lower tier season ticket behind the goal will cost £905 in the event that the user opted out of both the Burnley and Hull FA Cup ties (Cup matches 8 and 9 on the season tickets) and there are no further Champions League matches – although none of us want that. Main thing is that the VAT reduction is being applied. Silver and red members have benefitted from the reduction in VAT from 17.5% to 15% for much of this season, as they have purchased tickets on a match by match basis instead of paying for the lot up front as gold members do.

Additionally, there was a story on some websites yesterday that the deadline for season ticket renewals would be requested in April, earlier than the normal June 1st date. This was based on an Islington Tribune story. Once again thanks to the Trust for getting the facts. It seems that the journalist who broke the story was getting confused with club level renewals, rather than ordinary seats. Club level and indeed hospitality box renewals are always processed earlier, so there is no change in policy here.

Still, it’s not all good news at Arsenal. This Saturday’s match against Blackburn has failed to sell out to silver and red members and the tickets are on general sale to allcomers – only six per person mind! The shape of things to come…

Mind you, Chelsea tickets go on sale today, so I’d wait until this afternoon before attempting to buy a Blackburn ticket online. Don’t worry, they should still be available. Bit of a bottleneck to get the cheap seats for the visit of Gus Hiddink’s boys this morning.