Today’s performance was better than yesterdays, until near the end when (a) the Arsenal defense went to sleep… again, and (b) they conceded a late goal to end in a draw…. again.
What did we learn Arsenal? What did we learn Arsene?
The post-match press conference didn’t answer those questions. When asked about strengthening, Arsene said “We try to strengthen the squad. I have no name to offer today.” No news then. No news may be good news, but I don’t believe so in this case.
I’m not going to focus on the match today, not going to review a match we utterly dominated and threw away at the end… again.
Today I want to ask the question: is it every okay to boo the team?
Boo Boys
At the end of the match there was a distinct and clear chorus of boos. Not from the whole crowd, but sufficient to hear clearly. There were no cheers or clapping to drown them out either.
On Twitter at least the reaction from the distant watchers was: “how dare they boo” and “call themselves fans?“, and more of the same. I didn’t see any supporting the booers.
Is it not okay though? Yesterday I said we should get behind the team and support them, because they’re representing Arsenal and it’s Arsenal we support. I meant it, and mean it.
How else can one demonstrate one’s displeasure and distaste with what one saw on the field of play though? Just being silent? Walking out before the end? Handing in your season ticket?
One could always write to the club, but I know from experience that, positive or negative, the club never responds (unless you can get the address of a specific executive, but that’s another story) to fan letters. Might as well whistle in the wind.
So a lot of fans were displeased, unhappy and fed up, and with very good reason. Why shouldn’t they display that feeling in the only real visible, voluble way they could.
How do you think the club find out about the feelings of the fans? Do they read Twitter? Forums? Blogs? I don’t think they look very far to be honest, judging by their behaviour on-line and at the club. I think they’re more out-of-touch than people realise. The limited interaction that some fans have had with ‘the club’ on-line may lead them to believe the club knows and the club care. Hmmmmm, not so sure.
For many season ticket holders, regular frequent visitors to the Emirates stadium, people who’ve been committed to Arsenal for many many years – the only way they feel they can demonstrate their displeasure is through booing, sadly. The feeling of helplessness, being ignored and exploited, simply leave them nowhere to go.
I wasn’t there and I didn’t boo, but I think I may well have done based on what I watched on the on-line stream I saw. That feeling of not being heard, and certainly not being listened to, can drive one to demand to be heard. The club is not listening at the moment, or at least it’s not demonstrating it’s hearing anyway, which amounts to much the same thing.
Arsene Wenger
The great man seemed frustrated in the press conference when asked about his title rivals this season. Talking about their great resources, he didn’t mention his own lack of resources, but it was written all over him. We’re told by the club that Arsene has lots of money to spend, but it seems he can’t or won’t spend it. I’m beginning to think he hasn’t actually got it to spend at all, or at least there may be so many conditions attached to spending it, that he is simply unable to.
End Result
In the end I don’t know whether that booing will make a difference. If there was un-qualified cheering, would that have made a difference? Is it worth cheering a good 80 minute performance if it’s tarnished by a 10 minute collapse?
If this had been early last season I’d have said “no way”, and meant it. Now… I’m not so sure. Far too many people are on Twitter puffing their chests out and saying “I’ve never booed” and “I would never boo Arsenal”. Do you care about your club? Do you care enough to do something to make sure the club know how you feel as a fan? Doing nothing is nothing to be proud of.
Doing nothing does nothing to help our club.
Booing may not be the answer – but neither is unqualified support. Getting involved in some way, perhaps by organising or being part of a letter-writing campaign, or trying to join the supporters trust (just read what PHW thinks of them) or similar, may do some good. But if you’re sitting on your fat arse at home (metaphorically speaking) then don’t judge those who were there and felt desperate enough to want to do something to be heard.
These were not, as some people tried to say, all one-time visitors, spoiled and stuck-up, demanding something they were not entitled to. There were many many regulars there, many season ticket holders, many long-time supporters.
Postscript
I’m not a massive fan of booing, and I don’t think it’s okay in all circumstances. There are those who boo too quickly and too easily. Do not think I’m condoning booing in all circumstances. This is one time however when the frustrations boiled over in a tangible way that was justified. Having enough common sense to know the difference is important, because judging others who are at least as committed as you are is simply splitting supporters at a time when we need to be more united in facing a club that is disinterested.
