Just read a post by Craig on the Arsenal World messageboard http://www.awimb.com/fudforum/

Reads: Just got though to box office & and they said this :- Tickets were allocated to applications down to 3 away credits.

Then the remaining applications with 2, 1, & 0 away credits were ALL put into a Ballot, and pulled out to match the remaining tickets.

Which is not what was detailed on arsenal.com. I have 2 credits, but no tickets, numerous people with 0 credits now have tickets!! not a fair system (Ends)

So there was your online ed trying to come up with a theory as to how the software could issue an invitation to purchase to those with zero credits, by-passing those with two, when in fact a straight ballot was held.

Given that FA Cup finals and semi-finals count as away credits, it’s almost as if the club has decided that those who have just been to those count as equal with those who didn’t. More or less saying, you’ve never been to a normal away game so why should you get priority. I can see the logic in this, but it should have been made clear in the first place. To say one thing and then do another isn’t right.

So I assume anyone who has three credits (away, Charity Shield, semi and final tickets bought through their own membership number since summer 2004) has been invited to buy one of those precious tickets. Next time there is a major Cup final, the club should use a rotation policy with those with very few credits and let those that have missed out on Paris attend.

This of course ignores the debate about the hardcore silver members who go to a lot of away matches but simply have not been able to buy a season ticket at Highbury, but that’s an argument for another day. At least everyone can now stop agonizing over how the decisions were made. Black mark to the club for not stating the policy beforehand though.

Final word of warning to those of you tempted to buy tickets from ebay. It’s risky at best, but at the very least I would not buy from anyone who will not either meet to exchange for cash or accept payment through the paypal system. Be careful out there.