Bob Bayliss emailed this morning, presumably after reading this story on the Daily Mail website. Bob writes: “I am embarrassed that Arsenal are trying to prevent Tottenham from having the full 15% of tickets to which they are entitled under League rules. If this were to succeed, I think Tottenham would be fully entitled to carry out their quite reasonable threat to reduce our allocation proportionally. The effect of this would be to deny several thousand of our supporters the opportunity to see the game at White Hart Lane.

The League's rules on ticket allocation for this competition were known when we designed this stadium, and was up to us to take them into account along with those imposed by other relevant authorities (e.g. all-seater stadia, distance of stands from the pitch etc.). It is no use trying to hide behind the police - if we are not capable of staging a semi-final in this competition in accordance to the rules then we should not be hosting it.

I have written to the League explaining that I am an Arsenal season ticket holder and have supported them for 40 years, but as a true football supporter I am urging them to support 15% allocation for the away fans in both legs. I would urge as many as possible of you to do likewise before the decision is taken on Thursday.”

Frankly, I agree with Bob. Arsenal have a bigger and infinitely superior stadium to Tottenham, and we have to take it on the chin that the 15% rule means there will be more Spurs fans at Ashburton than there are Gooners at the Lane. If the police are seriously concerned about trouble, it’s up to them to step in and tell Tottenham to take it or leave it. Should be nothing to do with Arsenal and no requirement for Keith Edelman to get involved. With the police being all powerful, the only conclusion has to be that Arsenal are just playing hardball, and they don’t come out of it looking good.

There should be no debate. If the police haven’t vetoed it, 15% of capacity is 15%. Give Spurs their allocation and let’s take ours. No quibble. Get on with it and start selling the damn tickets. As for Arsenal’s pricing policy and Spurs thinking they can make money out of our superior capacity through the split gate receipts rule, Levy and his mob can keep their noses out. Arsenal can charge what they want to and Spurs will take their cut. On this matter, I’d be more than happy if it was kid a quid (and every other bugger!) just to spite Tottenham as arguing on this issue is something they have no right to. Do Arsenal tell them what to charge to admit fans to their underwhelming stadium? No.

So, rights and wrongs on both sides, a good old ding dong as if the directors were two fans in a pub arguing black is white (or more ridiculous that Spurs are a better football team than Arsenal!) But who will suffer in the end? The fans, having to scramble for tickets at the last minute. The Football League is meeting on Thursday to resolve this issue? Bloody hell. Expect an in person only on sale next Sunday with your membership cards needing to be checked on the computers and the mother of all queues. Want to go to the Lane and see the Man United game? I’d get to the Box Office at 9.30 on Sunday morning with the newspapers and prepare for a long wait…