Over the next 6 days Read Arsenal will be publishing 6 relatively short Q+As featuring different young Gooners. Varying from 16 to 18 years of age, these fans are at the lower end of the age spectrum, but at Read Arsenal we value the views of young people and pride ourselves on showcasing them. Pub-talk and fan association meetings are often dominated by older heads and I think it’s important to make sure that young Gooners are heard and respected. I, Billy Dunmore, put together 10 questions and selected 6 young fans that I have encountered and debated with on Twitter to answer them. I hope this proves an interesting and exciting project that offers a few different perspectives.
First up is Read Arsenal’s very own Llew Davies (17 years old)…
What influenced you to support Arsenal?
It was more of an amalgamation of events and hints which influenced me, rather than just one. Being from the far reaches of West Wales, I have few family ties with Arsenal – apart from my grandfather, who went to watch an Arsenal match at Higbury in the late l940’s.
If I had to pinpoint a certain event which influenced me the most, it would have to be while I was on a family holiday in Jersey some 11 or 12 years ago. I distinctly remember wearing my new Arsenal shirt absolutely everywhere – on the beach or around the capital, St. Helier. Everywhere I went, a lovely Frenchman would shout “Thierry Henry”, “Vieira” or “Wenger!” towards me in the nicest, most good natured way possible. I recall a brief chat about my then favourite player, Thierry Henry, with a Frenchman in an ice-cream parlour!
However unusual that may sound, it really stuck with me and has done until this day – hence my love for Arsenal was established.
Having been the architect of the modern Arsenal and bringing huge success to the club, Arsène Wenger has recently come under serious scrutiny as a result of 8 trophy-less years. As someone who has experienced Arsenal under Wenger for most of their life, how do you view the manager and is he still the right man for the job?
Arsène Wenger’s name will, for me, always be synonymous with Arsenal, while Arsenal will always be synonymous with Arsène Wenger. His transformation of the club into what it is today makes the transition period of the last eight years all the more necessary and, ultimately, rewarding. I truly believe the club is on track to achieving big things – largely thanks to Arsène Wenger.
I genuinely cannot imagine an Arsenal without Arsène Wenger. He will have my support as Arsenal manager for however long he stays here.
As a young fan, what is your view on the Arsenal board (if any) and do you think it would be beneficial for there to be an injection of fresh, young blood?
I feel they’re often portrayed rather unfairly by many surrounding the club. Incompetent, pathetic and inept are words which are often bounded about by the ‘big’ Twitter accounts. I’m sure you know who I’m referring to, without naming names. The board have done well over this past year. They’ve brokered record-breaking kit manufacturing and sponsorship deals, managed the Summer’s transfer window well and have let Arsène go about his work.
That is not to say they’re a perfect exemplar of how a boardroom should look and work – they aren’t. In my opinion, “young blood” isn’t a necessity, but a person who understands the club from inside-out, someone of Bob Wilson’s ilk, would certainly enhance Arsenal Football Club. It’s a model which works well within European football.
Are you happy with the way Arsenal do things or would you be in favour of a Manchester City-esque takeover if it all but guaranteed success?
I’m completely content with the way we’re going about things. In fact, I’m very proud of the way we are going about things as a football club.
Are you or would you consider becoming a member of a supporters’ group (e.g. AST) and why/why not?
It is certainly something which I have contemplated, but, at the moment, it isn’t entirely possible. Hopefully in the near-future.
Are you generally optimistic or pessimistic when it comes to Arsenal and why?
Optimistic. Very much so. Anyone who follows me on Twitter will have noticed that. Anyone who follows me on Twitter will also realise how irate I become whenever some of the ‘bigger’ Twitter accounts – again, no naming names – shroud the club in unnecessary criticism and negativity.
Do you feel the Emirates Stadium lacks atmosphere? If so, what would you do to change/improve it?
I do, but as with many other well-documented ‘issues’, it isn’t a problem that’s exclusive to Arsenal. A lack of atmosphere in stadia is an issue in most Premier League stadia, particularly amongst the bigger clubs. It is something which both clubs, the Premier League and the FA must look into.
Personally, I’m an open advocate of the ‘safe standing’ system implemented in most European leagues. Not only does it offer a more engaging atmosphere, but it also offers for a more memorable matchday experience for all as well as cheaper tickets.
What are your views on the season so far and do you think this will be the year Arsenal end the ‘trophy drought’?
Absolutely fantastic. Arsenal are back. Arsène is back. The trophies will be back soon, too. With every setback suffered, we’ve bounced back incredibly well. Let’s see how things go as the Christmas period nears…
If you could change one thing about Arsenal FC, what would it be and why?
Nothing of any note. (Disclaimer: I am not an ‘über fan’)
Finally, if you had to spend the rest of your life on a remote island with one Arsenal player who graced the red and white shirt in your lifetime, who would it be and why?
Yann M’Vila. He was a fantastic signing.
