Ed’s note – Apologies that this is rather later than planned, but we ran part one of this year’s Gooner survey results yesterday. Here’s the concluding part. Thanks to all those that voted and my thanks to Fozzy for compiling the votes and doing a commentary on them. So on with the rest of the survey...
Section Three – The Gooner Experience
What do you think of the atmosphere at the Emirates Stadium?
Worse than some other Premier League grounds - 50%
Not great, but the same as any other Premier League ground today - 45%
Good - 5%
It’s the old story about the Ashburton crowd reacting to activity on the pitch. The home game against Burnley was a perfect example. A dire game came to life after we scored and Xhaka had been sent off. We hung on until injury time when we conceded a dodgy penalty. Then in the 98th minute we were awarded an equally dodgy spot kick which Sanchez chipped straight down the middle. The win put us within touching distance of The Chavs and the atmosphere at the end was the best I had felt for years.
Do you think the Wenger Out protests had any influence on the team's on pitch performances?
Yes - 53%
No - 47%
Of course it had a negative performance on the players.
What did you think of the "Wenger Out" stunts like flying planes with messages?
Unfortunate that it needed to reach this level, but necessary to make the board aware of the fans’ strength of feeling regarding the need for change - 43%
Agreed with the sentiment, but the protests should not have been made in this way - 39%
Disagreed with both the stunts and the massage – Did not want Wenger to go - 18%
Whatever you all thought, the stunts certainly had an impact and nobody could ignore them.
How do you feel about playing home matches on Thursdays and Sundays/Mondays due to the club's Europa League involvement?
Don’t like it, prefer Tuesday/Wednesday midweek and more Saturday matches - 60%
It’s fine, no problem - 40%
The choice is to either take the medicine or spit it out. Our Thursday evenings are hardly going to be a barrel full of fun but at least it will give a chance for more red members to attend.
Assuming Arsenal play weakened teams (similar to League Cup line-ups) during the group stage of the Europa League pre-Xmas, which of the following apply to you:
I am a season ticket holder and will go to the games - 15%
I am a season ticket holder but will probably give them a miss - 13%
I am a silver or red member and will go to the games - 10%
I am a silver or red member and will probably give them a miss - 18%
I am not a season ticket holder or silver/red member anyway - 43%
Apart from non season ticket or membership card holders, there’s not much in it between those of you who will attend and those of you who will probably give the early Europa games a miss. At least this will give the 43% a look in.
If Arsenal were to progress to the knockout stages of the Europa League, what policy do you think Arsène Wenger should take?
Play stronger teams in the hope of winning the trophy and qualifying for Champions League - 76%
Continue to play weakened teams so that the Premier League campaign is not affected - 24%
I suppose that in the New Year we will know whether we are in with a chance of the “Fourth Place trophy”, in which case we can continue to rotate for the Mickey Mouse Cup.
Do you look at your phone during matches when you are at the stadium?
Yes - 36%
No - 64%
I reckon that a load more than 64% has a look at their phone. Surely, somebody you know must have texted you a shopping list from Tesco on your way home.
If yes, have you in the past season ever missed seeing a goal / big chance / bad foul due to looking at your phone instead of watching the game?
Yes - 11%
No - 89%
Great question, although you’ll generally see a goal again on the screen if you are trying to fathom out what the hell is a fabric conditioner in a text. Mind you, you won’t see a re-run of the next Xhaka sending off if you are glued to your mobile.
Would you like free wifi to be introduced to the Emirates, as it is at Manchester City's stadium?
Yes - 64%
No - 36%
Another good question, but oooooh, that would be nice!
Did you have a ticket for a home game (season ticket or one bought on a membership) in March / April / May and decided you had something better to do than attend?
Yes - 23%
No - 30%
Not relevant – did not have a ticket - 47%
Well, I thoroughly enjoyed the games against ManUre, Sunderland and Everton, but the lap of appreciation when it was all over was a bit naff. Obviously saving themselves up for the following weekend.
If you chose not to attend, what was the reason?
Lost interest after too many poor performances - 61%
Boycotted match on principle as wanted change at the club - 39%
So that’s why there were loads of empty seats in front of me.
Do you plan on buying one of next season's three new shirts?
Yes - 31%
No - 69%
You won’t catch me paying a king’s ransom for a shirt. I am more than happy with my 1970-71 jobbie. With the cash that I saved, I decided to replace my bed for a trampoline. My wife hit the roof.
If yes, which player name would you like to put on the back, assuming no-one is sold?
Alexis Sanchez - 25%
Mesut Özil - 14%
(Other) - 16%
I’d love to see somebody wearing a shirt with “Other” on their back as I trudge my way through the crowds after a game, but what most of you want is Lacazette although one wag has plumped for Cliff Bastin.
What has been the best atmosphere at a home game this season?
1 – Chelsea
2 – Spurs
3 – Man Utd
A runaway winner by a massive margin, from a huge list, 58% of you enjoyed celebrating the rubbing of noses of the Odious Chavs.
What has been the best atmosphere at an away / neutral venue game this season?
1 – Chelsea (FA Cup Final)
2 – Man City (FA Cup Semi-Final)
3 – Southampton (FA Cup)
4 – West Ham
Another huge list and by now I am running out of fingers and thumbs. Is it worth taking off my shoes and socks? No surprise that the Cup Final won it by country mile.
Do you believe supporters should be allowed to express their views inside the stadium without the threat of violence against them?
Yes - 93%
No, any vocally critical supporters deserve a punch - 7%
I have been freely expressing my views at Highbury and Ashburton for the past fifty years, and I am not going to stop now.
Who have been the best opposition fans this season?
1 – Bayern Munich
2 – Crystal Palace
3 - Lincoln
Bayern and Lincoln were both in plentiful supply amongst your votes. Talk about one extreme to the other.
What was the best chant you've heard this season?
1 - Rob Holding - Cannavaro chant
2 – We Want Wenger Out
3 – We’ve Got Ozil
4 – Stan Kroenke Get Out Of Our Club
The list of is a bit like looking at a Now CD album cover with so much happiness on offer. The Rob Holding song won by a healthy margin.