The Emile Smith Rowe Derby

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Over the summer, Aston Villa fans tried to manufacture some sort of rivalry with Arsenal over transfers.

It probably originated a year before when Villa signed Emiliano Martinez.

Villa fans saw this as them poaching one of Arsenal’s best players. The reality was they had signed our back up keeper who had played just 15 league games in the previous 10 years at the club.

Martinez played well and Villa best Arsenal twice. But at the end of the season Arsenal fans were disappointed with 8th whilst Villa celebrated 11th

Then we had their fans odd behaviour this summer.

It started with their signing or Emi Buendia.

Arsenal were linked with the former Norwich City midfielder in the press. When Villa sainted him, they bought into the “Villa beat Arsenal to midfielder” story.

The way they saw it, they had signed one of our best players and beaten us to our number one target.

Buendia was never Arsenal’s number one target. It was always Martin Odegaard.

I started to see Villa fans claiming that not only were they rivals to Arsenal, but were now a better proposition to players.

They pointed to their owner whom they said was one of the richest in the Eagle and capable of bankrolling the club to glory. They pointed to the signings of Martinez and Buendia. They were in not doubt that they were a better option for players.

And it all culminated in their signing of Emile Smith Rowe.

They had returned to Arsenal and signed one of their own. A London lad who had been at the club for a decade. One of Arsenal’s best young prospects.

On top of all of this, Jack Grealish was going now where. So they would have a 3 of Grealish, Smith Rowe and Buendia. It would be enough to see them push ahead of Arsenal and challenge for top 6.

Only they did not sign Smith Rowe. He signed a new contract. And then Grealish left for Manchester City.

And despite Arsenal’s poor start to the season, we are still ahead of Villa. Not that they matter to Arsenal fans.

It was a very odd summer.

Ultimately the stature of your club is beyond a short term league position.

Regardless of where they finish in the league, Arsenal are one of the “Big 3” alongside Manchester United and Liverpool. Those are the 3 biggest clubs in England. There is no debate.

I have seen similar behaviour from Leeds United fans. From Crystal Palace and recently Newcastle fans.

The Newcastle situation sums it up.

With the action taken on sponsorship, they have used Arsenal as to “how much a club not in Europe can get in sponsorship”.

Arsenal’s sponsorship deals are not based on us being in Europe. They are based on us being massive.

So enjoy the Emile Smith Rowe Derby tonight. Fingers crossed we get back to winning ways!

Keenos

BOOK REVIEW: Arsenal is for Everyone

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Arsenal is for Everyone and after reading this book, you realise that a) many of us live in our own bubble and b) Arsenal really IS for EVERYONE.

The term “Be Kind” has been banded about pretty glibly over the last 2 years and having been involved in the funeral of big Arsenal fan and legend of the concourse, one Danny Bailey – this opened my eyes to the “be Kind” motto and those that knew Danny – he was the epitome of “be kind” – I am digressing a bit but bear with me – Danny had this knack of talking to everyone, making you feel special – even if you didn’t know him – he would make time for you – you will get where I am coming from the more you read on.

From Dave Seager’s opening words, a book dedicated to his bright, articulate, handsome, talented son, who had his own life tragically cut short, to the chapter after chapter of awe inspiring Arsenal Fans who have fought through all kinds of adversity with barely a hint of a grumble to follow the team we love – it really does put your own “troubles” into perspective and brings me back to the Danny Bailey and “Be Kind” message!

We all get those days – could be getting up in the morning, going to work, should be going to the gym – going for that run – could be after another abject performance from The Arsenal – you just feel all sort of …… what’s the word they use on social media … “meh” …. Or for the older lot …”you just can’t be arsed”. Or, and we have all been there, we feel the world is against us, you;ve lost your oomph, as Thierry so beautifully put it “your Va Va Voom …… well do yourself a favour and give this book a read!!!

It really does put everything into perspective.

After reading this book, and I know everyone has been through ups and downs in their own life, it has opened my eyes to what others have to endure and makes me realise how bloody lucky I am and how at times I can even be a little bit selfish. I would like to think that after reading this book it has the same effect on you and we can all make the effort to “Be Kind” to everyone…… well nearly everyone….. and even then to our less fortunate neighbours from Middlesex there are levels of kindness … but you get where I am coming from … I married one …. Now that’s being kind !

Each chapter in the book is dedicated to an Arsenal fan who has battled through all kinds of difficulties and it follows their early lives , how they got into the football and their experiences at games – something the majority of us all take for granted! I don’t want to use the term disabled and I even feel using the term less fortunate is wrong.

These people put me to shame with their resilience and positive outlook on life .

Their battles include, Blindness, Deafness, Cerebral Palsy, Muscular Dystrophy, Spinal Muscular Atrophy, Cancers.

Certain chapters will get you – where you read it and get that cold feeling followed by goose bumps, a lump in your throat and then you reach for the back of your sleeve to dab at your eyes – yes it really does that. I’ll let you find your chapter but my one – a lady called Lyn diagnosed with breast cancer in 2003 where it was caught and she was given the all clear only to be told in 2019 that it was back with a vengeance, had spread to her lungs and was terminal. Diagnosis 2-5 years. She is then diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, which affected her limbs and nerves and confined her to a wheel chair- most of us would give up – but her determination and love of football has seen her continue to get to the games, even though she is in constant pain and has a matter of years to live. I tip my hat in admiration for this brave Arsenal and football fan.

 

What is also evident from this book and one I have to admit I was shamefully unaware of is the work that Arsenal Football Club do to ensure that Arsenal really is for everyone.

From the Disabled Purple Members Group, to the Clubs Disability Access Officer, to the countless Liaison Officers, the Sensory Room, the Audio Commentary, the Premier Leagues first disabled supporters lounge – it’s a real eye opener but goes to show that although everything may not be where we want it on the pitch at the moment off the pitch the club still has class, tradition and values

I could go on but I want you to read the book and find your Lyn. As one of the contributors said – “the world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows” but reading their stories you would never think that.

This book will raise your awareness of what others, less fortunate (my words not theirs) have been through, have to go through to watch , or in some cases sadly not be able to watch, the team they/we love and support.

This book will make you realise, when you think you have it bad that compared to some – you really haven’t.

Arsenal is for everyone.

You can order the book, signed by Dave, now for November delivery at Legends Publishing or you can wait for the official Arsenal launch at the Armoury on the 27th of November at the match. (Look out for details…)

Johnno

United fans can achieve change in football

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Fan pressure can lead to change in football

Over the years it has felt like the voice of fans is largely ignored.

Ignored by clubs, ignored by authorities and ignored by TV companies.

But in recent years we have seen that when fans put rivalries aside and come together as a single united voice, change happens.

It has been a few years now since the Premier League agreed on £30 away tickets – Arsenal give a further £4 discount.

This was following years of campaigning by fan groups under the “twenties plenty” banner. We often added out voice to the collective with numerous blogs written calling for cheaper away tickets.

Whilst we never got exactly what we wanted – a £20 cap on away tickets – the £30 cap was a significant win.

Prior to the cap coming in, Arsenal fans would end up paying Category A wherever they went. That meant over £50 to go to places like Hull or Newcastle. And above £60 to watch us play West Ham.

Likewise the likes of Manchester United and Liverpool fans would also get hit with the Category A pricing – with Arsenal charging them £64,

I remember Manchester City fans kicking off a huge fuss.

For the majority of the early to mid were Category B, and even C, at the likes of Arsenal. And then they won the league.

The next season they were Category A everywhere they went, adding hundreds to the cost of following the club.

So through fan pressure we got a reasonable cap on ticket prices.

We have also recently had movement on Safe Standing.

10 years ago the authorities would not even consider the debate. For them, Safe Standing was dangerous.

But again through fan pressure and a united front of all fans, we are now seeing Safe Standing being introduced.

Clubs in the Premier League and Championship will be able to offer licensed standing areas in their stadiums from January 1 next year as part of a pilot programme.

Another fantastic victory for match going fans.

Up next will be drinking in front of the pitch.

There is no logical reason not to be able to have a pint whilst watching football – you can drink whilst watching rugby, cricket boxing, or even at a Little Mix concert. So why not football?

It was just a stigma, a black mark against football fans based on a few incidents that happened 40+ years ago.

The authorities needed to recognise football and football followers have changed. That it is not the 70s or 80s anymore. And like with Safe Standing, having a beer in front of the pitch is not dangers. Does not contravene health and safety regulations.

But having a pint would only be a small win. There is a bigger battle on the horizon – the scheduling of games.

We blogged yesterday about how once again Arsenal’s travelling fans had been screwed over. Away games scheduled with no trains home.

Every club suffers through the season.

A trip to Liverpool or Newcastle where there is not a train home. A New Years day trip from Manchester to London for a 12:45 kick off. Newcastle scheduled to play in Brighton at 8pm on a Monday.

When it comes to what games are shown on TV, the television companies do not consider if there is available public transport for fans home.

Considering their “Zero Carbon” marketing; you would think ensuring that fans could get the most environmentally friendly form of transport would be of the upmost importance to TV companies. But no. They simply do not care.

So us travelling fans need to get together and pressure the Premier League to in turn pressurise TV companies to ensure no game is scheduled when there are no trains home.

Obviously you can not schedule for engineering works, but when Arsenal are away to Liverpool at 5:30 on a Saturday and the last train home is known to be at 7pm, Sky should not be scheduling the game at that time.

Fans would be able to get home if it was a 12:45 kick off, or a 3pm. But by scheduling at 5:30 the TV companies known they are forcing fans to either drive or pay extra for hotels.

This needs to be the next groupthink movement.

The Premier League need to force the TV companies to ensure that games are only scheduled if there are at least two trains back to the home clubs city available from 1 hour after the final whistle.

That 1 hour will give fans enough time to walk from stadia to station and get on a train. The second train then ensures if the first fills up quickly fans can still get home.

It might feel like at times that it is impossible for fans to force change. But as a united group across all clubs, we have shown we can.

Keenos