Hard days, hard times

The economy is a factor for Arsenal’s empty seats

1 May, 2013 10:00

Mike Hennessy 47 comments

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In this age of austerity it is surprising that where there has been a lot of discussion of tickets prices and general poor performances, with regards to an increased availability of matchday tickets, little has been said about the simple fact that there is a shortage of spare cash in the economy. The media have been having a dig at the absent Arsenal fans recently, not really addressing the outside issues like the economy, focusing more on our performances and lack of new players. Finding money for Arsenal, indeed any leisure pastime, is more and more difficult, and will surely get harder, as and when the coalition’s economic measures really kick in (yes, it’ll get worse before it gets… even worse).

As a Silver Member I could now attend all the matches at home that I want to. I pick and choose the matches that I go to now, not because I don’t love going anymore, but simply because I can’t afford to attend any more matches than I already do. I also think the days of judging supporters as to whether they are a part time fan or not, based on the number of matches attended, are surely no longer relevant, with such draconian outside forces affecting their ability to buy matchday tickets. Even season ticket holders are not attending matches in their full number. Amongst the reasons given are the associated costs of attending a match, which play a part in their absence.

Whilst it is pleasing that prices will be frozen for next season, it still means that there are those of us who have to pick and chose the matches that we will attend. This is economic reality. Of course, a price drop would have been more than welcome – the easiest solution. Getting another job/second job would be another solution, of course. But I can’t see either happening anytime soon. With the introduction of Category C matches this season, the matches that I picked are actually cheaper than last season. This was a welcome change. Category A matches are a no no, though, due to cost. See, I’m picking and choosing again.

So, perhaps more balanced appraisals are what is needed when our dwindling attendance figures are discussed. It is also down to the economy.

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47
comments

Robert Exley
May 02, 2013, 22:15 #34540

People who point out that the recession started in 2008 are missing the point. In 2008 many thought it was a normal common or garden recession. In 2013 it looks like a triple dip - i.e. the 30s revisited. If you think it is an 18 month economic problem you will not give up your season ticket. If after five years it looks like the Great Depression Mk II people are going to cut back on luxuries - which is what attending football matches is compared to paying the bills. Let's be honest, people talk of empty seats, but there aren't that many in real terms, Arsenal's crowds have been above 50,000 for every match this season which still makes Ashburton Grove cost effective and higher than anything achieved or seen at Highbury post-ration book era. Fault for the lack of demand over the last five years or so would be more appropriately apportioned along the lines of say 65-70% economy related, 30-35% football related.
CanadaGooner
May 02, 2013, 14:25 #34518

@Alsace, Mike and Maguiresbridge; fair enough friends; but I see him sitting on the Barca bench a bit more, going forward. As to Mike's fair comment; it wasn't just a coincidence that Fabregas era as arsenal captain was the main chunk of our trophyless seasons, and much as he can't be singled out for blame, it is always so easy to blame others and walk away isn't it (Nasri, Clichy, RVP, Fabregas); they all had chances to stand up and be counted but also had piles if excuses too.
maguiresbridge gooner
May 02, 2013, 13:17 #34516

Canada, it would be great to see Cesc back at some stage but i just can't see it any time soon.Would he want to leave some of the best players in the world regardless of the Bayern mauling and come back to this, no different to when he left maybe worse.He would have to be made some serious promises and given just as serious assurances as to where this clubs going, regards players and team strengthening,and we know that's very unlikely just ask RVP.
Radfordkennedy
May 02, 2013, 10:01 #34504

@steve 1963.....Couldnt agree with you more mate,come 5.30 saturday afternoon they'll be me and 5 mates in my living room a cold beer a B&H and the local Star of Bengal delivering the tandoori mixed grill at half time,and no one in my house will tell you to sit down and behave if you start shouting!,and all this for less than the price of the cheapest seat.After 45 years of following the Gunners its just become impossible to attend as many matches as in years gone past due to the exhorbitant prices,whilst i realise that nothing quite compares with actually being there,(ive served my apprenticeship in attending games and between 79'and 89'i cant remember missing too many both home and away)not attending hasn't been the wrench i thought it would be
Mike
May 02, 2013, 9:46 #34502

Ask the players who are earning K200 000/week if times are tough - yet most people on this site think marquee players are worth that - @Canada -as for the likes of Cesc coming back my thought is this - he is now in one of the strongest squads in Europe who have just been put to the sword by BM - does he form part of a winning mentality everyone suggest
Alsace Lorraine de Totteridge
May 02, 2013, 8:56 #34500

Canada-No one is coming back if Wenger is still in situ. They would come back if someone decent was in charge and would employ decent coaches, to wit D Bergkamp and M Keown. Just think of the Sh*t that Cesc and others had to go through to get away.
CanadaGooner
May 02, 2013, 2:05 #34490

Well, looks like it's time for Arsenal to use some of that money in bringing Fabregas back this summer. Barcelona may be quite keen to be rid of him and the other Wenger pupil (Alex Song) after the thrashing they got from Bayern yesterday. A few other ex-gunners out there who should be brought back in too. If you look at what Barca did for the 5 year period they were winning everything, now Bayern have been in a few finals in recent years (and should have won it last year); Arsenal could and should have been equally dominate, if Wenger had been less stubborn when we had such a strong midfield and attack but were continually let down by a non-existent defense as he carried on playing players like cygan, sederos and djourou!
Mark
May 01, 2013, 23:33 #34489

The renewals for Club level are NOT going well by all accounts .. Have a mate who's company has 4 tickets plus WM Club membership at £35,000 ouch and they have had enough of the groundhog days and so have a host of others. And with West Ham of to stratford who will have more boxes than they know what to do with Arsenals smug board might feel an icy chill of change!!
Bob
May 01, 2013, 22:41 #34488

The cost of attending is a big factor, especially in this economic climate. So too is the relative and year-on-year decline of the team. Given both, it is hardly surprising that the 'waiting list' for season tickets has, as I predicted two seasons ago, pretty much evaporated.
Steve 1963 -2013
May 01, 2013, 22:39 #34487

Seven kings gooner, see you at O'Gradys we can shout at the tv with other ex season ticket holders, no more hassle with trains getting to and from matches at mad k.o. times and giving a nearly months wage to a kid on £100k a week who is an insult ability wise to Geordie Armstrong or Rocky's memory, the Emirsh**es can go to where the sun don't shine
1975
May 01, 2013, 20:38 #34486

I agree that empty seats reflect non attendance by season ticket holders on the evidence of what I have seen at games. I have a season ticket but Im clinging on by my fingernails in terms of being able to afford it so I just dont understand how people pay for a game and decide to give it a miss. These are people who are clearly not affected by the economy or they would not be throwing their money down the swanny in this way. The economy certainly seems to be affecting the corporate seats. That seems to have been highlighted by other bloggers. I heard a chief executive of a very large national retailer say that companies have to really go after their costs, drive them down and get the maximum value from their expenditure. Now this is clearly what Arsenal are not doing in these hard times. Our wage bill is unbelievably poor value. Too many average or very poor players on good wages. Thats the real economic crisis at Arsenal. Yet we have a highly paid Chief Executive and manager who have allowed this crisis to grow.
Ando
May 01, 2013, 19:19 #34485

you are almost correct, cat a games are horredously overpriced, but if we were challenging for a pot they would sell out before red level sales every time, and general sale would not exist in the afc vocabulary. I think the club are aware that going to the emirates is no longer (presently) the ''Hottest tickets in London'' and we are more of a tourist attraction rather than a football club. Sadly until the tourists have also had enough of paying top dollar to watch crap, as well as the fans, then nothing will change. Sold out stadia = more of the same **** groundhog day. over and over and over again. Anyone for an AFC wimbledon style re-branding?
jjetplane
May 01, 2013, 18:53 #34484

Presently attending sussex league div 2 matches at a fiver a throw and the nail bite at the moment - pushing for promotion - really puts the fourth place bull**** in perspective. There really is football out there for those who still love it. Personally - I would not pay a tenner to see the likes of Walnutt or his smug associates. Makes you cry when you see what the german fan is being offered. Perfect proof that fair play can be rewarded.
Where's Wally is a Gooner
May 01, 2013, 18:53 #34483

The prices at Arsenal are insane and we are in effect subsidising the clubs inability to maximise commercial contracts. Obviously if Wenger produced a top class team it would be easier to cash in on commercial deals and the stadium would be full and rocking for every game. Now there's a thought.
mark from aylesbury
May 01, 2013, 18:40 #34482

This has been a selective recession. Unfortunately some people have been smashed by it whilst others have hardly been affected. Best indicator is follow the house prices and it shows outside London it is completely flat. I'd guess Manure are hit by economic pressures as apparently they are often 15k below official attendance. With us Id suggest its more a boycott.
Quillie
May 01, 2013, 17:42 #34481

I think it's a combination of the economy and the notion of paying some of the highest ticket prices in the world to see not the best team in the world. It would be easier for people suffering from economic hardship to justify paying insane prices for tickets if the team was winning trophies, because then there would be a feel-good factor. At the moment, that extra motivation just isn't there, so people have a little more perspective when looking at their finances.
Paul Adams
May 01, 2013, 17:26 #34480

I am a Red Member & absolutely concur with Mikes assessment, Where I choose to sit North bank upper is over £80, these matches Class A are always on live TV (not the same I know) I have recently become an OAP! Less disposable income. I'm sure I'll attend every match if we are in contention!
Ramgun
May 01, 2013, 16:45 #34479

What a strange article. The empty seats have all been paid for. The seats are empty because season-ticket holders don't want to go because the great majority of the stay-aways can't stand Wenger and co but don't want to lose their seat by giving it up. It could be that a lot of them will this summer though. Of course football is too expensive, particularly at Arsenal where the owner doesn't give a damn about trophies and Wenger sails along in his own little world with, amazingly, some still blind to his failings. The economy will always affect what people can spend but it has no effect on already paid-for seats.
Pablo
May 01, 2013, 15:45 #34477

Realist what you've written there is a load of inaccuracies, please revise.
Adam Keynes Buffet
May 01, 2013, 15:26 #34476

Remember guys always buy with the right to sell to the highest bidder... never forget this simple human right, without it we may as well support Dulwich Hamlet...
The Noise
May 01, 2013, 15:11 #34475

Disagree mate... I have plenty of pals who can afford to go (still living at home & no kids) and simply choose not to go, due to the disgusting lies spewed out by Wenger & the board... And a few are actually going lower league to still get their fix, and althought cheaper, still not dirt cheap!
johnnyhawleyloovinggooner
May 01, 2013, 14:45 #34474

you have a point,but i am not coming back untill we sign top marquee players.instead of going to london and going to games my wife and i have gone to shows or plays or saved a bit more and gone to italy. and the fact i can do that for the same money surely shows how expensive it is to go .good luck to them, but would you pay to see any player signed last summer on his own?-the way people used to turn up just to see Brady,DB10 or TH14
englandsbest
May 01, 2013, 14:31 #34473

If hard times are affecting attendance, all the more reason to offer value for money. Instead we get a year on year decline in quality of players and performance, a decline which has accelerated since Kroenke took over. The guy is well on course to become the worst-ever owner in the Club's history. Anybody care to dispute that? And he is behaving entirely according to form judging by the mediocrity of his Stateside sports 'franchises'. And let's not be deluded for an instant into believing that he is motivated by anything other than profit. We can only look with envy at the German way, where consideration of fans comes at the top of the agenda.
maguiresbridge gooner
May 01, 2013, 14:29 #34472

Of course the economy may be a factor but the economy has been like this for a long time now,and supporters are certainly picking and choosing their matches more,maybe a lot of supporters are just looking more closely at the inside issue at last, and are now realising there's better things to spend their cash on than what we've been witnessing over the years,with the crap we've had to listen to, and the rubbish we've had to put up with on the pitch,and those responsible for that certainly don't have to worry about the economy.Maybe if we had an ambitions team, a successful team that were winning honors, or even capable of it,and giving their all every game, fans would more readily spend their spare cash or find it somewhere.Economy or not i'm quite sure if we had that successful team i've mentioned with teams giving us guards of honor, we wouldn't have empty seats.
Dixon Arsene Seaman
May 01, 2013, 14:14 #34470

@Brigham - many agree with your sentiment. Your analogy is a well used one: champagne prices for lemonade football. Wenger himself made the it's hard to go back to sausages when you've got used to cavier comment years ago. We've had several years of sausages now. The worst mistake football clubs make is treating fans as customers. The moment this happens they demand value for money, lose a sense of undying loyalty and can smell a rip off. Fans can only tolerate so much of having their unstinting loyalty abused to the limit of financial common sense. Love for a football club is unconditional. If it's not rewarded or accomodated or recognised or repaid, the rules change and there's problems. Having said this, I'm heartened by the 'young guns' initiative. £10 tickets for teenagers, all in one section - excellent work. It's the way forward. More initiatives like this please!
Cambridge Gooner
May 01, 2013, 14:06 #34469

I was at OT last week and even at a game where United were nailed on to win the title, there were plenty of empty seats. Don't be fooled into thinking that things are much rosier up the M6, they're just the best of a bad bunch. English football is now in such a poor state that one of the worst United sides in recent memory could (with a bit better finishing at the Emirates) have beaten the all time league points tally. Arsenal need to respond to this and EITHER a) Reduce the price of their tickets in line with the quality of our football / english football or b) Capitalise on the poor quality by investing big in 2 or 3 world class players and get some more trophies behind us. Unfortunately on the clubs speadsheets the conditional formatting is still very much showing green - We need to push the demand below their tolerable 'demand/supply' limits to even register in the sterile world they live in.
Chris
May 01, 2013, 13:48 #34468

englandsbest - That's incorrect. According to police data, the average attendance at OT is 10k lower on average (and up to 24k lower for individual matches) than the club announce, suggesting there's at least that many empty seats..
Brigham
May 01, 2013, 13:27 #34467

In my opinion, a little of it can be blamed on the current economy, but that makes up a small portion. For example, many people are losing jobs (I was one last year and was lucky to get another, enabling me to renew my season ticket), but many are not in that position or have taken a huge paycut. However, the current brand of football being served up is not worth the money we as fans are being asked to put up with. Every close season us fans are fed more and more 'transfer' talk about top quality joining us (Hazard, Mata, etc), but they never materiliase and we end up picking up the scraps which other teams no longer want (Gervinho, Chamakh, Giroud etc). I for one am fed up being lied to by the club and I fully expect them to come out with the usual s**t in the next few weeks. Everything within the club costs a small fortune and those of us who go awway know how much less expensive the food and drink are! To make an analogy; It is like my wife asking for £300 a week for housekeeping, promising me that in the future I will be getting better quality food served up and all I actually get is ready meals from Tesco, complete with 100 percent horsemeat! Its all about money and no longer the quality of the football or the thoughts of their loyal fans. Ram it!
Dixon Arsene Seaman
May 01, 2013, 13:17 #34465

No empty seats at OT?! The Geordies (who often struggle to fill their allocation) mentioned as though their loyalty is beyond comparison (drivel.) There are ST holders at Arsenal and Man U who go to as few as 1 game a season and leave the seat empty - Disgusting. Just read that The Bundesliga has the lowest ticket prices and the highest average attendance of Europe's five major leagues, with the average ticket for Borussia Dortmund's 26,000 capacity "Yellow Wall" costing €15. The German 50+ 1 ownership model is so much better than what we have. We are just a corporate cash cow for an indifferent American investor. Many of the German clubs are owned by people who are fans. They also have safe standing. (PLEASE can we have that here? Standing that's proven to be SAFE.) The fans feel a part of their club and are encouraged to make an atmosphere. And it's reaping rewards on the pitch now. Look and learn Arsenal.
Bard
May 01, 2013, 12:56 #34464

I'm with Seven Kings on this one. The contrast with the German sides is critical. The passion/ argument on this site is because we love the Arsenal but love to survive has to be both ways. At the moment we are being screwed on and off the field and it leaves a nasty taste in my mouth. Now Wenger allegedly has the money we will see what the summer brings but its more likely to be a job lot of Gervinho's rather than a Falcao or a Hazard.
Tony Evans
May 01, 2013, 12:38 #34462

Seven Kings Gooner - I couldn't agree more.
Tom O'B
May 01, 2013, 12:29 #34461

"no empty seats at OT" Just 72,000 muppets...
Dixon Arsene Seaman
May 01, 2013, 12:22 #34460

Recession or no recession - it's too expensive to go to football these days. The people's game has been wrenched from the people and handed to passing tourists, indifferent corporates and day trippers = tepid support and sh!te atmosphere.
englandsbest
May 01, 2013, 12:06 #34459

no empty seats at OT.
Ron
May 01, 2013, 12:02 #34458

The cost is a factor and the charges are a rip off. Football matches arent worth what they charge. Just my view, but £30-35 tops is 'fair'to see todays fairies in action. Arsenal have no players who get fans off their seats and havent had since Dennis, Henry and Co were in their pomp. Other Clubs dont have many either. The Prem League is poor standard too. The Club has become quite nondescript and seriously needs an injection of exitement that new signings (decent ones) can give to a Club.More importantly it needs a new Board and new Coach as only then will it get a new direction thats so sorely needed dow there. Football, whether Arsenal like it or not is 'theatre'these days and Arsenal are as old and frayed as 'The Mousetrap', the only difference being that West End theatres do genuinely sell out for that and punters do actually turn up. Why? Because its humdrum but enjoyable, beacuse its priced right for an act that wont change, doesnt want to change, wont ever be 'box office' ever again, wont ever again be voted 'best play', has no stars and because it entertains. Arsenal match all of that but dont do the entertainment and havent done for a few good years. Again just my view guys/lasses.Im a Silver and 6-8 games per seaon at home is all they get from me, plus 4-5 away games and the away days are far. far better enjoyment as the stadiums arent near as clinical and sterile as the Emirates is. Again, just my view.
Canterbury Gooner
May 01, 2013, 11:53 #34457

You have to factor in that only really the clock end is open to Red members, and those seats are invariably sold out. So almost the entire remainder of the stadium is made up of season ticket holders- I doubt their travel costs are deterring them from attending games they've already paid for. It's clearly tiredness with this regime and the terrible, boring 'style' of football we now see courtesy of Wenger.
nathan
May 01, 2013, 11:50 #34456

I think its the caviar ticket prices to watch a richmond sausage front line thats the problem
Croker
May 01, 2013, 11:39 #34455

@Jamal - I'm all for change at many levels of our Club but be careful who you wish for. Much as I love my football, Arsenal's (and football in general) prices make no sense. A season ticket could buy at least one very decent family holiday and if you tot up travel costs, food, drink (I eat & drink outside of Stan's cashcow emporium), match day goodies etc you are looking North of £100 for 90 minutes or so 'entertainment'. Without the Sky money and our loyalty(which is much abused as fequently noted by many Gooner contributers), the Premier League bubble would quickly go pop.
theopants superstar
May 01, 2013, 11:25 #34454

The author missed a great opportunity to use Bill Clinton's famous election slogan of 1992 as a headline: 'It's the economy, stupid!!' Alas, I fear he will have less chance of convincing most gooners on here than the sax-playing, sex stain-depositing ex-President of the USA did persuading the American electorate. So good try, but no cigar!!
Mike
May 01, 2013, 11:19 #34453

Fair enough, but explain Newcastle filling their stadium week in and week out
Peter
May 01, 2013, 11:07 #34452

Mike: Being on the Away Scheme and having Season Tickets - both with wife so times two - is NOT easy AND I am lucky enough to have a decent job. Also, on occasion it is simply not possible to attend games for all sorts of reasons and the demand for seats (e.g. via ticket exchange) has reduced for some games. Some may stay away for football reasons, but probably more due to the opposition (Stoke anyone) than the Arsenal.
John
May 01, 2013, 10:52 #34450

Every single home league game at the Emerites was a complete sell out.The empty seats are those season ticket holders who didn't attend.Other clubs have it also and most are far worse,the Man City v West Ham game recently was half empty again the official attendance was a 47,000 sell out.People get used to success and pick certain games to miss but Arsenal sell out every game.
Arsemart
May 01, 2013, 10:17 #34449

Whilst it's easy to be wise after the event I remember saying that it was essential for the team to remain competitive once in the new stadium, as we didn't sell out Highbury in the mid 90s once the team went off the boil. There are 60,000 Arsenal fans who'll go every week, and they'll go to watch the team try to finish 4th, but only if the pricing is correct. At the moment it's not. That's not to say the article is wrong, as I also won't go to a Catagory A match. £60+ for a ticket for a game which invariably is on the TV just doesn't make economic sense for me personally any more.
Seven Kings Gooner
May 01, 2013, 9:55 #34448

No Mike - it is not the economy, it is the club charging the highest prices on the planet for very "humble fair" I am in my sixties but like many other people my age, we have been around a bit and know when we are being ripped off. My Arsenal don't care for me anymore because if they did they would want to compete for trophies. It is one thing to bring in a procession of players who are just not good enough for Arsenal but then to charge the ridiculous prices to watch them is frankly taking the p*ss. The Arsenal board are swapping people like me for a "benign fan" who will swallow any old b*llsh*t providing it has an Arsenal logo stamped on it! The club offer seats at the Em*r*tes as an experience, bit like the London Eye but without the heights! My Arsenal died somewhere at Highbury a few years ago and until somebody resurrects the ethos of competing for trophies I will not be coming back.
Realist
May 01, 2013, 8:56 #34447

That's weird. You know, that economy you speak of: are you aware that the world economic slowdown started in 2008? That's when Lehmann crashed. That was the Worst part of the financial crisis - this also happened to coincide with the season Arsenal almost won the league. And guess what? Stadium was full EVERY week! Why didn't the hard times affect fans back then? Is Manchester immune to this economic slowdown too then? Because that Old Trafford place has more seats than Emirates, and yet it's packed every week. Not an empty in sight! Spain has a worse crisis than the UK and still Madrid and Nou Camp fill up every week. You spotted the common trend here yet? Successful teams that people want to watch will ALWAYS sell out, irrespective. Football is immune to the shocks of a normal economy - how else does a useless non-achieving wastrel like Arsend Wenger earn over £7 mil a year?! How do people who never show up for work like Diaby and Rosicky, Djourou etc earn over £50k a week? This article is a plain embarrassment. It's comical, because everyone with a brain knows the reason the Emirates has so many empties: it's an overpriced thing, for a poor poor quality product. If Tesco started packaging their Tesco Value range but charging Harross prices, people would quickly feel mugged off and not bother anymore. The same is happening at Arsenal and everyone knows it. (apart from you it seems). The hardcore fans been priced out. Fine. So then you're relying on tourists etc. Problem here., is they want to watch the best. So they can choose to pay over £120 to watch rubbish like Giroud, Gervinho, etc. Or. For less money they can go to Chelsea and watch the likes of Hazard, Mata, Oscar for £50 less. No brainer! I won't go back until I see a proper manager and proper players. Still. You keep telling yourself it's the economy. I think that's why the Wigan stadium is always empty also...LOL
RJ
May 01, 2013, 8:29 #34444

Sad when you can't go for economic reasons - I miss the dayus of being able to choose to go to a game at 1430 on a Saturday afternoon and rock and handover cash to get on the North Bank. Those were the days. But - your piece misses a subtle point: the only EPL game that we have had an "attendance" (ie tickets sold) lower than 60,000 was Stoke in February - and i expdect that was down to the visitors not taking up full allocaiton. The empty seats are largely people not being a***-ed to attend rather than economics. Will be interesting to see what happens to season ticket sales - but at the moment, there are plenty of people willing to mop up the seats. From my perspective, I will renew my 2 season tickets because I still love the hope and expectation, I still love Arsenal and the alternative is sorting out the garden or going shopping. Yick.
Jamal
May 01, 2013, 7:59 #34443

Bollocks. The seats are not filled because we are fed up with paying gourmet prices for an average side for a club with no ambition other than to finish in the top 4. The hierarchy don't care whether that is 1st or 4th.....we need Usmanov