What influenced you to support Arsenal?
My dad. Not much else really. You could say I was born into it.
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?
Having been born just over two months after Wenger’s appointment I’m in a unique position as only knowing Arsenal with Arsène. Personally, I feel Arsène Wenger epitomises everything about Arsenal. His experience, knowledge of the game and outer world (He speaks French, German, English, Italian, Spanish and Japanese) and finally not forgetting his sophistication and class. A trait not familiar with most other managers. In my opinion Arsène Wenger is still the right man for for the job. His ability to develop young players and his style of football makes going to Arsenal a joy. The foundations are there with the newly formed British Core as well as additions from the German and Spanish contingent, not forgetting the other bonds and relationships throughout the squad. In time the trophies will come, with a hint of luck we will pick up our first and from then on the rest will follow.
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?
For me the topic of the Arsenal Board is a tough one. Although I like to take interest in most of Arsenal’s affairs (If you’ll pardon the pun) I don’t feel I know enough about the way Arsenal work at a business level in order to make a valued judgement. Not only that but I don’t think I know enough about any business to make a judgement on the make up of any board, in any company. However, having said that I feel that many people’s opinions on this matter may come out of boredom (Sorry) of the continuous and traditionalist set up and wanting a change to make Arsenal a bit more exciting. Nevertheless, it could also be said that some of the older, more traditionalist fans are afraid of change and would rather stick to what they know best. Even though it may be a few years out of date.
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 think when this debate arises it is felt that it is either one or the other:
1.) Stay the Same
or
2.) Use the funds of a billionaire to buy the best players (and some not so good) for extortionate prices and wages.
I believe that the correct approach is somewhere in between. By this I don’t mean using external income to go and buy players but instead use the internal financial resources available to their full potential. In recent years it has been said that Arsenal and Arsène have been afraid to go out and buy big. However, this summer just gone has seen a change in this previous philosophy through the signing of Mesut Ozil from Real Madrid. I do not know if Arsène Wenger has had funds at his disposable for the last number of years or if this larger transfer kitty has only recently become available. Therefore I’m not able to comment on Arsenal’s recent transfer windows. Yes, it will most probably bring trophies if Arsenal adopt a ‘Sugar Daddy’ approach, however it will not be a success of Arsenal. It will be a success of the owner.
Are you or would you consider becoming a member of a supporters group (e.g. AST) and why/why not?
I am a member of the Arsenal Supporters Trust. One of the main reasons for joining was the want of knowing more about Arsenal and the financial side of the club. I tend to take a spectators view of the meetings, listening rather than speaking throughout the majority. The guest speakers give an interesting view into football from the perspective of experts in the game and it’s interesting to hear opinions on Arsenal from fans of other clubs. The AST have had some bad press in the past but none I think from those who are members. This negative view on the AST is unfair in my opinion coming from people who don’t fully understand what the group is about. As one of the few groups with ‘good’ relationships I believe that the AST should be praised for their work, not criticised. This unique bond is most notably in the public eye when the AST are invited to seasonal meetings with Ivan Gazidis, once more an opportunity that should be seen in a positive light and not an occasion to berate the AST.
Are you generally optimistic or pessimistic when it comes to Arsenal and why?
When it comes to Arsenal I tend to be more realistic than either optimistic or pessimistic. However if I had to choose I would say that it varied situation by situation. For example, I am often quite pessimistic after a defeat or poor performance. I class a draw as two dropped points not one gained. Although when the situation is flipped on its head and Arsenal have won I am extremely optimistic and positive. Jumping out my seat and punching the air after a win no matter if the opponent is either a relegation candidate or a team competing for the Champions League. At the moment I would say I’m feeling quite positive (20/11) however still have a feeling of disappointment after what I classed a poor performance at Old Trafford.
Do you feel the Emirates Stadium lacks atmosphere? If so, what would you do to change/improve it?
For me the Emirates does not lack atmosphere. However I still believe there is potential to make the atmosphere even greater. I sit in the West Stand Upper Tier and am constantly annoyed by the opinion that it’s a ‘quiet’ area of the stadium that lacks atmosphere and noise. This is definitely not the case. I feel it seems quite easy to use the more expensive parts of the stadium as scapegoats when it comes to criticising the atmosphere. I have sat in Club Level to watch Arsenal before and the atmosphere has been up there with the best I’ve had, seen or heard at the Emirates. Maybe if fans within the bowl stopped criticising each other than the atmosphere as a whole would grow even greater. Similarly this leads me onto my second point, the North Bank Lower Tier Corner Blocks – West Side. Often referred to as the ‘singing section’ I seem to be one of the few people who actually feel that this could actually be impeding the atmosphere. This is my opinion because it feels like fans are non-intentionally being segregated between where they are allowed to chant and therefore separating these blocks from the rest. I feel it may be more affective to have these ‘singing’ fans dispersed amongst the ground as it encourages more people to chant from where they are as well as allocating the noise more evenly around the stadium. Moreover, there should be more clean chants for players who don’t have chants but certainly deserve them. More focus needs to be given to supporting the team on the pitch and not abusing the players who were on it in the past.
What are your views on the season so far and do you think this will be the year Arsenal end the ‘trophy drought’?
There is no doubt that Arsenal have had a fantastic start to the season. With the injuries we’ve had it’s been a real pleasure to see some former squad players make the step up to the First XI and make a good name for themselves. Now, with the return of quality players such as Walcott, Podolski and Chamberlain we should hopefully be able to keep our good run going and challenge for some silverware. When it comes to the question of ending our trophy drought I’m always quite cautious as I’m not sure what the season may bring. Even if this isn’t year we end our wait for a trophy we can certainly take pleasure in taking more massive leaps to reach success. Although with a bit of luck and things going our way why can’t we?
If you could change one thing about Arsenal FC, what would it be and why?
If I could change one thing about Arsenal FC it would be the chanting of ‘The Y Word’ at the end of the chant ‘We hate Tottenham’. It’s an unnecessary ending that doesn’t add much to the chant except for leaving a sour taste. It’s just something that really annoys me when I hear it being added by the minority at the end of the chant; however what really pains me is the younger generation copying them without knowing the history behind it.
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?
A tough question. I have been lucky enough to see in my few years of watching Arsenal great players such as; Henry, Adams, Bergkamp and Vieira. Although when it comes to having to who I want to spend the rest of my life on a remote island with it would have to be Emmanuel Eboue. Known for his crazy antics and unique playing style Eboue has stayed in the hearts of many Arsenal fans including my own even if not having the most prolific career at Arsenal. Having to take the place of Lauren in the 2005/06 season Eboue stepped up to the plate (Similar to some this season) and put out some brilliant performances leading Arsenal to the Champions League Final. Away from the pitch Eboue seems as joyous and comedic as he sometimes seemed on it, making a great companion on a remote island. So I guess that sums it all up, if I had to spend the rest of my life on a remote island with one Arsenal player who I’ve seen in my lifetime it wouldn’t be a player from either of the doubles or the unbeatable season but someone most famous for eavesdropping on a North Korean team talk!
