I was going to start this article by nailing my ‘how long I have been a Gooner/going to the match home and away’ colours to the mast, but then I stopped typing up my matchday CV. It is ridiculous that an individual’s views are judged by such standards, particularly when our recent ticketing policy excludes some supporters for racking up ‘I’m a real fan… honest’ credits in the first place.

I have a young family and of course had aspirations that I would attend Arsenal matches with my son. However, the ticket prices are beyond what I can justify. Add to this the tactical and strategic drift of the management and board and it’s not something that I want to pump hard earned money into. As I type I am reading comments that Arsene believes Blackburn’s tactics on Monday were ‘not fair’. From an intelligent man near the top of his profession, this is an extraordinary statement to make. In most fields (including my own) you have to compete to win business or accolades. If a competitor plays by the rules but uses methods that you do not aspire to then you have to adjust, and adapt to that reality, or think hard about your future in that profession. What you can’t do is wave the ‘not fair’ card as this is telling your competitors and even worse, your staff, that you well and truly snookered.

I’ll always be a Gooner but not a match-going one any more. Instead, I took my son to see his first live game at Crystal Palace a few weeks ago. A great experience for him and me that reminded me of what attending football used to be like. My son was well and truly hooked and was charged one pound for a decent seat. I don’t think I can be accused of being a glory hunter because as anyone will know, Palace are on the brink of administration and just avoided relegation. Administration allowing, we’ll be back at Palace next season as their position is a reality that is easier to swallow than what’s being served up by Arsenal. Sad… but true.