Has anyone else noticed how absurdly draconian the approach of Arsenal’s stewards is becoming? They're worse than traffic wardens. I sit in block 19, which is the closest whole block to the away supporters. I used to be north bank lower but I get the impression most people around me are ex-clock enders who have moved to this block for the same banter with the visitors.
I'm sure at Highbury they were given a little latitude when it came to standing up/shouting, given their proximity to away fans who can generally stand throughout the game and shout whatever they like. It seems that without warning there is a zero tolerance policy for home fans now while the visitors continue with the same immunity.
At the Porto game recently my mate was warned about his behaviour simply because he was following some random bloke who was shouting 'two-nil' at the visitors. Even though he'd obviously done and said nothing the steward didn't care. He actually said, "There's no need to taunt them. Don't be mean." "DON'T BE MEAN"? What is this?
As matches go it doesn't get much more peaceful than that night. I counted at least five Arsenal shirts among the away fans. No sign of trouble at all. At home to Sheffield United I saw a steward pleading with the police for what seemed like five minutes just to get them to come over and chuck someone out. They had no interest, he'd done nothing wrong, and in the end they only went over to get the steward off their backs.
They looked embarrassed doing it. On Saturday I saw home supporters being led away by police and stewards for no apparent reason. Home to Watford. Three nil up. Watford happily singing "Three nil to the Watford fans" to give themselves something to do. It’s about as far from a hostile atmosphere as you can get, so why head into the stands and start chucking people out?
Enough aimless rambling, I do have a point to make. Three actually... 1. Is there now a quota for stewards of warnings given/people ejected? It seems the more peaceful the atmosphere, the less it takes to get their attention.
2. If there is a new zero tolerance approach, shouldn't they make this clear given that most of the old clock enders were clearly treated with a more common-sense attitude at Highbury?
3. If this is what we get for Watford at home, what happens when Spurs, West Ham, Man Utd visit?
Obviously anyone up to no good should be dealt with accordingly. Some things shouldn't be tolerated - antagonistic, racist, homophobic chanting, anything blatantly threatening, repeatedly refusing to sit down, there are plenty of reasons why we need stewards and yes I'm sure it is a tough job. But we also need atmosphere. Arsenal FC knows this better than most clubs. Who else has a group like redaction trying to spark life into the crowds?
At Highbury we had that fans’ day a while back, the special day when everyone was encouraged to sing! Isn't that meant to be every week? How every other club laughed at us for that. A bit of friction between home and away fans, some banter when they go one up and we have to take it, then we equalise or go ahead and the home fans gain the upper hand, this is where the atmosphere comes from. It seems the club want a lively ground but they can't be seen to accept the way you get that. If Arsenal continue to snuff the life out of the home fans as they have done so far this season then games are going to become as grey and drab as all that trendy unfinished concrete that surrounds us.
