Mike Francis
The Gooner’s end of season survey has been an annual tradition since the first one appeared in issue 10, way back in April 1989, and it has steadily grown in size and popularity over the years to the point where last years survey attracted over 3000 responses to the 64 questions which were posed.
The survey seeks to clarify how the Gooner family have viewed the last nine months by asking questions which you will no doubt have debated with your friends and colleagues in the pub, in the ground, in workplaces, on internet forums and anywhere else Gooners gather together. There are a lot of questions and you need to complete them in one session, so we’d suggest you get yourself a drink (a strong one given that you’ll be reliving the last nine months), put aside 10-15 minutes to do it and perhaps give some thought to some of the key categories beforehand which are mentioned in the remainder of this article.
There’s no doubt it’s been a roller-coaster of a season which has finished with Arsenal in a league position which many Gooners doubted was achievable at the end of August last year. Can the season therefore be classed as a success given the low expectations or does a trophy-less season always constitute failure for a club of Arsenal’s size and standing?
Last year over half of you voted Jack Wilshere our player of the season as well as the most improved player at the club, but sadly we’ve not seen anything of him since the Emirates Cup tournament last July, so he’s unlikely to figure in the voting this time round. Robin van Persie is an obvious favourite to succeed him as player of the season after a sensational year, but will one of his thirty plus goals also take the honours in the Best Arsenal Goal category?
In the most disappointing player poll, the top two from last time are both currently playing their football away from Arsenal – Arshavin in Russia and Denilson in Brazil. I can’t imagine too many of us will be upset if neither of them return during the summer, but Arshavin was around for long enough this season to perhaps be a contender for this title again.
Although, the defeat at Old Trafford was the worst in over 100 years, there have been other games which may come into the reckoning when you decide which was the worst team performance of the season.
And who will Gooners blame for last summer's transfer debacle? Arsene Wenger has taken plenty of stick from fans this season; some harsh and uncalled for and some well constructed and valid. Last year 38% of respondents thought it was time for a change in manager, while 53% were prepared to give him another year. How will those levels have changed twelve months on?
Amongst other things, we’ll also be asking for your views on who we should sign, who we should sell, how well run the club is, whether we have the right financial model in place and your thoughts on the owner.
Finally, whilst we welcome feedback from our readers throughout the year, the survey also provides you with an opportunity to tell us what you like and don’t like about the fanzine, our website and our monthly podcasts. We made some changes to The Gooner at the start of the season and incorporated a number of ideas which were suggested by readers who responded to the survey last year and we are therefore keen to know how they have been received.
As usual, every survey completed with a name and contact details will be entered into a draw to win the new home shirt and we might try to find a couple of other prizes to give away as well.
When you’re ready, click here to begin and help us make this our most comprehensive and successful Gooner Survey ever. The results will appear in the first issue of next season as well as here on the Online Gooner.
