I've been reading the comments on the support at the new stadium, and felt that I had to write as I feel so strongly about it. Although Andrew P used language that I may not have done (F*** Arsenal, I'm off!) I have to say that I understand his frustration. I have a seat not far from the redsection and was very impressed by the whole Arsenal experience. Although I found it a wrench to leave Highbury as I'd been going there since I was a small child, I decided to take the optimistic view that the club has to move on to compete with the likes of Chelsea and Man Utd. All in all I thought that Arsenal had done a great job with Ashburton Grove.

I couldn't understand it then, when a friend of mine, as passionate about Arsenal as I was, kept telling me how disappointed he was with the atmosphere inside the ground. We decided it may have something to do with where we sit, as he has a very similar seat to mine but at the other end of the ground. So for the Porto match, we swapped seats.

I have never been so disappointed by watching the sport that I love being played by the team that I love. This had nothing to do with Arsenal, who I thought played an excellent game. It had everything to do with the so-called supporters who sat around me. I was running a little bit late for the game, as I had been delayed at the airport, but I dashed across London and ran to the ground, and made it to my seat ten minutes before kick off. Later than I'd like, but still a bit of time to cheer the players onto the pitch. Maybe I wasn't the only person who had travel problems though, because the seats around me were deserted. Things hadn't improved by kick-off and I felt quite strange as I cheered the kick-off. Five to ten minutes into the match, people started drifting in. Ten minutes in, and the whole of the front row (I was in the second) bowled up. From their conversation they hadn't been delayed at the airport/train station at all, but had got another round in at the pub. Still a bit of alcohol inside them should get them into the spirit of things right?

Unfortunately, they took their seats and started up their conversations. Now obviously, I'm not saying that people at grounds shouldn't talk, you know, make the odd comment about the game, or players in the news etc. But these guys were talking about anything other than the game. And not quietly either, literally laughing and joking as if they were bored in a nightclub. And they did not stop. The two guys in front of me were so engrossed in their conversation that they actually missed TH's goal, so didn't bother to even clap, let alone cheer. I actually think that they were a bit disappointed that the noise around them interrupted their conversation. These guys come to every match. Can you imagine what it's like for anyone who is actually trying to watch the match. Have you ever had to catch a match on TV while you're at one of your partner's friend's weddings or something? You know, where there's a few people trying to watch the game on a rubbish TV while a big party goes on around you. Not very nice is it? Well that was exactly what it was like.

This became so distracting, that any enjoyment of the game was completely destroyed for me. Although it was an absolute disgrace for a "fan", I was actually pleased when they left TEN minutes early, at least we could actually watch the match.

And they weren't the only ones. All around the stadium, there were streams of people leaving the stadium. I've read the criticism of these people, and I've read their excuses. Amazing how many of these people claim to have left with just one minute to go. Even if that were true, just one minute before the end is a disgrace. I know people have to work the next day. We all have to work the next day - otherwise how would we pay for our season tickets for what is probably the most expensive club to support in the world. I had to be back at work in Switzerland the next day by the way. For a few people to HAVE to leave early is regrettable, but possible. But for 30,000 so-called fans, you must be kidding. As you're walking out of the stadium with two or three or five minutes to go congratulating yourself on how you've saved yourself 10 or 15 or even 30 minutes, just think how the players would feel at the end of the game when there are just a handful of real supporters left to show their appreciation. This is not an exaggeration - you wouldn't know as you'd already left - but you were not one of just a few sneaking out. Imagine how it looks even worse in such a big stadium. Have you thought how distracting this would be for the players and the people that are actually interested in the match?

Recently Thierry Henry signed a new contract, and part of the reason he did so was the special atmosphere inside the ground. Do you really think in a few years, Cesc Fabregas will do the same when he compares the atmosphere he experienced when Arsenal went to the Bernabeu (as that will be his experience of the Bernabeu) to the sight of people running out of Ashburton, as he's trying to entertain you? Still, I'm sure you'll be the first to moan about player loyalty etc etc. And what's next, for Arsenal anyway? Will there be boos ringing out when we lose a game like at White Hart Lane? Maybe then you might want to stay until the end so that you can boo and whistle, and complain about how much you've paid to come to the match etc.

When you pay your hard earned money for your ticket, be aware of when the kick-off is and when the match should finish. Factor in that you need to travel to and from the ground. And then, seriously, if you really think that it's not worth your time to get to the ground prior to kick-off, and to stay until the end, then do all the true supporters a favour. Don't come. Seriously, if it's so important that you need to be home, then just stay at home. You'll be happier, the true fans will be happier, the players will be happier. You can still claim to be an Arsenal supporter if you really want. Though Chelsea win more games than Arsenal these days, so you might want to support them instead.