A lot of criticism has been aimed at those who occupy Club Level seats at Emirates, and some of it is plainly unfair, particularly in my case.

I attend all home games with my father, and we are both Club Level holders. We DO sing and support the boys, we DO cheer and chant players' names, we DO try to make as much noise as possible, we DO watch the whole game (indeed, we wait inside after the match has finished for around half an hour for the queues to subside) and we even banter with the away fans below us.

We also try to go to away games (we went to Bolton and Sheffield United, where we stood, sang and chanted all game). I know that there are some Club Level members who aren't that interested in Arsenal and football as a whole, but I would like to stress that we are not like them, and that not all of us are like them!

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Ed’s note – I’m glad this issue has been raised again, if only because I never got around to giving my own view of club level, which was requested by Geoff Wood - who write an exclusive on the subject back in November. Apologies it’s taken this long to get around to it, but for what it’s worth, here it is.

To keep up with those clubs with greater financial resources both in England and in Europe, Arsenal had not only to significantly increase the capacity beyond that which Highbury was capable of expanding to, they had to ensure there were a far greater number of ‘prestige’ seats, which could be sold at substantially higher prices than the majority are willing to pay. To this end, both the executive boxes and the club level seats are critical to Arsenal’s finances and long-term ability to compete with the cream of Europe.

Arsene Wenger’s produced miracles to keep the club contending on his transfer budget, but he won’t be around forever, so Arsenal will need the money the new stadium will bring once a new manager arrives. Every club level seat sold is crucial to the future. Many may not like the phenomenon of the separate entrances and the difference in the facilities, but without the 7,000 plus club level seats, Ashburton Grove could not have happened. The club would not have been able to afford to make the repayments on the stadium loan and employ enough quality footballers to habitually challenge for honours.

Of those in club level, there are different types of attendees. Unquestionably there are some really dedicated fans who have followed the team home and away through good times and bad who back the boys as much as anyone and are fortunate enough to be able to afford to sit in some of the best seats in the house. Good luck to them, I do not begrudge them. There are of course others. At the most extreme there are some guests of club level ticket holders who may not even like football, let alone support Arsenal. But the bottom line is that whoever paid for their ticket is needed by us all for the wellbeing of the club.

As for the late arrivals and early leaving, I do not think this is any worse in the middle tiers, with one exception. The first ten minutes after the interval. This is to do with the reality that service at half time is not all it could be and as people are not allowed to take their drinks out into the seats, they choose to finish them whilst watching the start of the second half on a plasma television. This only applies to some people, but the gaps are noticeable. It’s not ideal, but hopefully, the speed of service is improving with experience so ultimately, this might not be so noticeable. However, it’s not only the middle tier where people get back a bit late because of slow service. It’s just more noticeable, possibly because there are free drinks at half time and a few people choose to consume three pints – which is a big ask in 15 minutes if you want to taste the stuff!

And as for prawn sandwiches. I am aware that is an option for those wishing to have a bite, but hey, I love a prawn sandwich myself. God only knows what they charge for them at Arsenal though. Having once paid £4 for a very dry and unappetising cheeseburger at the new stadium, I will never again buy food in that place. Never. But I digress. Club level people – I know why you are there and I am glad you are there. Because without you, I probably wouldn’t be watching Thierry Henry and Cesc Fabregas. If attendance at club level ever dwindles significantly, so will the club’s fortunes, so we should all be relieved that there are people willing to pay between £100 and £200 to watch a game of football on a habitual basis.