6%? You’re Having A Laugh

It’s been quite some time since I scribbled anything about the Arsenal from a fans perspective, quite some indeed.

One of many reasons being the lacklustre displays from a set of players (Jack and RVP, consider yourselves exempt), leaving my fingers twitching with rage to such an extent that I am incapable of forming crisp, NCTJ approved sentences.

But, derisory displays aside, this is a crucial period for supporters of this club, which many Gooners fear is on the verge of morphing into a fully fledged money making mechanism. A cash cow, if you will.

Chants of “6%, you’re having a laugh” rang true and tumultuously around the Emirates this afternoon, in reference to the hike in season ticket prices.

The sheer volume of the choruses were particularly impressive considering the amount of empty seats in the stadium from those already boycotting matches following the post-Carling Cup Final capitulation of Arsenal’s season.

It was that very showpiece shocker that the Arsenal board had banked on the team winning, therefore allowing them to cushion the blow of a further increase in ticketing costs by countering the argument by pointing to actual silverware.

(No, Arsene, the Emirates Cup doesn’t count).

Despite their individual ages, this team is no longer a young side in terms of the amount of time it’s spent attempting to gel as a unit.

It’s somewhat ironic that the players who could legitimately argue that they are relatively inexperienced, such as Wojciech, Jack and Rambo appear to be the ones capable of making season defining contributions.

Denilson is consistently inconsistent. Bendtner doesn’t fit our style. Diaby lost the fans with his sheer stupidity and general Frenchness in the 4-4 draw up at Newcastle.

It’s also fair to say that the presence of Tomas Rosicky, who came to us with a glowing reputation from the Bundesliga that has largely gone unfulfilled, has stunted the top-flight development of Henri Lansbury.

Shipping out some of the aforementioned midfield deadwood and replacing it with a couple of quality, aggressive ball winners, sprinkled with the introduction of a local lad like Lansbury would be a positive first step towards appeasing the fans.

I don’t think it takes a genius to identify the problems we have in defence.

Squillaci has been a disaster, and should now, by rights, be consigned to an illustrious list of insipid Arsenal number 18’s that includes Mikael Silvestre and Pascal Cygan.

Rumours are abound that Gael Clichy could be off to be replaced by Leighton Baines or Emilio Izaguirre.

In short, Clichy has been a great servant for the club but it appears that his mind is on a fresh challenge elsewhere. Even if it means the departure of the last remaining Invincible, we need players with their minds focussed on the task at hand.

Samir Nasri’s contract situation is concerning, but with le Boss stating recently that he will ‘do anything’ to keep him, his future appears far more certain than that of Fabregas.

There’s no doubting that Cesc has Arsenal in his heart. But he has Barca in his blood. He went missing in this maelstrom at the Nou Camp, gifting his old/new team a goal and was later substituted.

If the skipper goes the funds could be put to good use across the squad, and the blow in midfield would be considerably softened by the cohesion displayed by Jack and Rambo against Manchester United a couple of weeks back.

Potential candidates to replace Cesc as captain? RVP would be most likely to land the role on a permanent basis, but with his injury record a safer bet for the sake of continuity would surely be Vermaelen.

On the subject of RVP, his form since his return from injury has been absolutely outstanding, but we’re in desperate need of depth up front.

With Bendtner likely to be sold, and Chamakh today accurately being describe as ‘toilet’ by an Arsenal forum member, it would leave much weight on the shoulders of Carlos Vela, who’s been slumming it at West Brom.

Investment on the pitch is crucial. Peter Hill-Wood must begin to show the fans where their membership fees and ticket payments have gone by way of shiny new signings, or risk more waning attendances such as the one today.

Much to contemplate for directors, manager, players and supporters alike this close season, and with the Black Scarf Movement swinging into full flight, the next 12 months could be definitive in shaping the future of Arsenal.

Let’s conclude this marginally premature end of season rant on a high though, by congratulating our dear neighbours Tottenham on reaching 50 years without a League title.

Forever in our shadow.