Adrian Humphreys
If you liked 2012 you’ll love 2013
“The mark of insanity is doing the same things over and over, but expecting different results“.
For many years this quote has been aptly used to describe one of the major failings of Mr Wenger. However, I think that this quote could equally applied to us as fans. It’s a pretty dismal time to be an Arsenal fan and the 24hr media coverage is not helping. Many of us are not enjoying it yet doing the same things. Stop me if this sounds familiar:
Pre Game - I’ll scroll online articles telling me how this game is make or break for Arsenal - If we lose that’s it point proven ‘arsene out’etc.. If we win project Wenger back on track and start making room in the trophy cabinet. My emotions gradually build but prematurely reach boiling point watching the post match press conference on sky as the media find new ways to express the demise of our club and the manager smiles and comes out with phrases that include quality, mental strength and we MUST show people how good we are.
Game - Whether in pub or at stadium I watch a team that has attacking flair on occasions but that demonstrates tactical naivety that would make an under 11s team blush. I’m also surrounded by fans obsessed with buying players. You could buy great defenders but you still have to organise and coach them. My thoughts wretch from ‘if we lose it’s got to change’ to ‘to come on arsenal!!’.
Post Game - We win we lose. Wenger gives mores quotes about Mental Strength, Proving Ourselves and quality. I’m torn between happy seeing green shoots of decent individual performances and depressed about the team as a whole. At this point I throw myself into reading twitter and blogs ignoring the ones that agree with my personal thoughts, while the others annoy me for days.
This is a gradual cycle of tension and anger I’ve put my self through for far to long. Given the number of comments about people stated their losing interest in the Arsenal on the blogs I don’t think I’m the only one.
Personally I can’t stop supporting Arsenal.
“God give me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, The courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference.”
As fans, although we hate to admit it, there’s very little we can do about the manager, board and the way the team is being run. Some may disagree and state that aggressive and negative action by the fans will work but firstly I would say there’s very little proof of this and secondly I’d rather spend my Arsenal time in a positive state of mind.
Therefore I would propose the following in the spirit of "Victoria Concordia Crescit”.
This should be a positive movement to take our Arsenal back and make the whole match day experience better for fans. I propose the following 4 key steps.
1) Stop booing the players and team
I believe in freedom of speech but we are supporters at the end of the day. I’ve never booed an arsenal player and I ain’t starting now! Oleg ‘the Horse’ Luzhny brought me close a few times, but his performance in the cup final against Southampton was epic and showed he truly wanted to do well for the club. I believe the vast majority of players who put on the shirt do want to do well and whatever happens we should support them. If their going to fail their going do it inspite of us not because of us.
2) Do not buy the 2013/14 new kit
The only way the board are going to take any notice of us is if it starts hitting them in the pocket. A number of fans have talked about boycotting games. Unfortunately , I believe this again would have a negative effect of the team. However, the kits are becoming more and more disposable. Therefore let’s all boycott the kit for a year and wear some old favourites. I’m dusting off the 92/93 home shirt. This could also become a way of identifying proper fans from the day out tourists.
3) Stop buying programmes
For the same reason as point two. However I would throw the gauntlet down here to the Gooner to beef up their upcoming game information in their publication. This would allow fans to stop buying the programmes and substitute the Gooner in this void.
4) AST and AISA stop talking about the manager and start talking about fans experience
When things were good there was a great concern about how quiet the stadium was and much was discussed about designated singing areas etc. Now things are bad this is all on the back burner, but would there be a better time to push for this. In these dark days I’m pretty sure the board would bite your hand off for a guaranteed area of the stadium where fans would be vocal cheering on the team. Hopefully this would spread across the stadium and improve things for everyone. Win or lose one thing that made me love football was the day out and singing with like minded fans.
A lot of people are forgetting what being an Arsenal fan is really about, no one likes us they never have but let’s stand together with the players Victoria Concordia Crescit.
