Gooner's Views: Pedro From "Le Grove" On Arsenal Fans at The Emirates

Arsenal's home ground supporters, either at Highbury or the Emirates, have never been known for making huge noise or showing massive level of support for their side.

However in recent weeks they have come in for added criticism from all sides: the media, on forums, from me, from Arsene Wenger. It seemed that they are willing to boo the team but not willing to shout and get behind the Gunners.

I have criticised the fans at the Emirates on this site before but it seems that some regulations at the Emirates is to blame for the lack of overt support for Arsenal.

In order to clear up some issues surrounding this I caught up with Pedro from the famed Arsenal blog Le Grove.

Is there a rule preventing Arsenal fans from standing, and if true is this rule not extended to the away section?

Arsenal are a very family orientated club, since we switched over to the new stadium the stewards have been a lot stricter with people who continue to stand up in the ground. If it inhibits someones view, Arsenal see that as inhibiting someones match day experience. It's a fair point.

The difference between the Emirates and Highbury is that at Highbury you had generations of season ticket holders sitting with each other. You also had singing stands. If you had a ticket in the singing part, you'd stand and the stewards were more lenient about it.

At the Emirates, most people are new to each other and most of the singers are dotted all over the stadium, so encouraging people to stand up and sing is a) not allowed and b) extremely tough.

What I did notice is that since Arsene Wenger made a complaint at the AGM the stewards have relaxed the standing rule. The atmosphere against Spurs and Manchester United was electric and I would put that down less stringent approach to standing.

Is it a problem that the ticket prices seem to leave a lot of true fans outside on the streets while non-fans (corporate) get in to see games thus affecting the atmosphere?

This is an argument often cited by fans that don't have a ticket. It is far too simplistic in my view. Firstly, since when did salary band and passion have a direct correlation? Secondly, there are only 8000 corporate fans in total (There or there abouts) and 3000 away fans which leaves 50,000 normal seats. It seems absurd to blame corporate fans for the lack of atmosphere?

Also, what defines a true fan? I have plenty of friends who take loans out to pay for their ticket each year. If you have a ticket, you have made a sacrifice of cash and your time which makes you a true fan in my eyes.

What is interesting about people blaming the corporates, is that without them the club wouldn't be able to post record profits and attract/keep the worlds best talent.

The lack of atmosphere for me is an issue that lies with the club.

Do you honestly feel there is a problem with the lack of atmosphere at the Emirates and if so what can be done?

There is a lack of atmosphere at the Emirates, but I don't believe it is a problem that can't be solved. Fans don't like sitting in silence, and given the right kind of encouragement, they'd sing.

Here are some of my solutions:

Solution One

Fans who used to make noise no longer sit with each other, everyone is alien to another. So if you used to sing, you will generally find yourself feeling a bit of a plonker when you stand up and belt out a bit of "Arssssssenal, Arrrrrsssenal F.C., We're by far the..." Only to look down and see that no one else is sharing that moment with you.

So, my suggestion is ORANGE SHIRTS.

People who like to sing and set an example will wear orange shirts, then they are easily identifiable to other fellow singers.

Hey, you may even make friends with some like minded Gooners!

If there are ten of you sitting in close proximity—you can all identify each other and easily coordinate a song. It could encourage those around you to join in and maybe encourage RvP to score a goal!

Solution Two

This one is a little more complicated and would require the assistance of Arsenal F.C.

There are 56,000 season ticket holders (roughly). Modest estimates would suggest that 10% of that amount enjoy a sing song.

5,600 singers divided by 32 inner rows in the stadium, that's 175 singers per block and 1400 singers per quadrant.

All the singers would be sat together in a singing section for a block (like a choir). They would all be aware there were other like minded singers and hopefully they could help bring back the atmosphere!

Would that not raise the freaking roof chaps? Yes sir it would.

Solution Three

I could post up a song sheet with a bit of encouraging text. The sheet would then be available for Arsenal fans to print and hand out in the thousands at the game.

Cost?

Don't worry about it, most peoples work places actively promote this sort of paper wastage—less paper means less pollution.

Solution Four

You could also have karaoke style songs appear on the jumbo screens, like they do at Wembley...

Le Grove are also looking into the possibility of singing season ticket holders volunteering their number so Arsenal can create a singing section in the corner of the ground (Like Red Action, but bigger).

Hopefully this article may clear up some of the reasons as to why there is a lack of atmosphere at the Emirates Stadium. Maybe the solutions above will be looked into and we can hear the sort of noise that made the games against Spurs and Manchester United all the better.

I would like to thank Pedro from Le Grove for the taking the time to answer my questions and also Bleacher Gooner Kenny Smith for pointing me in his direction.