6.5 % Increase…..where does all the money go ?

Hello Gooners, How are we today ? I am going to keep this post as short and as informative as possible, so let’s get to it. As I scrolled through the Arsenasphere today I was made aware of something which I always wanted to talk about – The tickets at the Emirates.

AST has come out today and said quite frankly that the new 6.5 % hike in ticket prices “will price loyal fans out of the Emirates.”

“The AST is very disappointed at this increase. The Arsenal board are clearly out of touch with today’s economic climate and have taken a decision which will price loyal supporters out of the Emirates.

“The AST does welcome Ivan Gazidis’s acknowledgement to us that prices are too high, and that he will work with us over the next year on a thorough review of all ticketing strategies and prices at Emirates Stadium.”

We all know Arsenal play pretty football. But at the same time we also know that Arsenal charge the highest ticket prices in the league. I did a quick check-up on this, and well, this is what I found. The cheapest Arsenal season ticket (£893) is more expensive than Liverpool’s most expensive season ticket  (£785 ). That alone explains alot…

I know the AST has a point, and I am really happy that Ivan has ensured that he shall sit down and try to chalk out some better solution (although, I am not sure how soon that is going to be), but the problem is this ‘solution’ is going to be long term and if we choose to be pragmatic and logical there is no real short term answer….

A POINT WHICH SHOULD BE PUT OUT FOR DISCUSSION:

Now there is a point that I want to make and although it may be a bit inappropriate with this post, it has to be said. It’s something that a friend of mine pointed out to me. We were discussing whether the boss should leave or stay, ( I’ll post my verdict on that soon) and it was then that he said “Arsenal fans are very apprehensive about ticket prices and their continuous augmentation. Thats all right, and I have no problem with that. But at the same time these are the same fans who say that Arsenal should spend alot in the transfer market, and buy good players.”

Hmmm….if you think about it the git has actually got a case. Good players do come at a price. I mean even Lille are holding out for at least 20 ml for Hazard, and Bolton have already placed an 18 million tag on Cahill. If the fans want the club to sign a ‘Cahill’ and the manager to spend “BIG”, where do they think the club is going to get the money from?

THE SAD PART AND THE BITTER TRUTH:

Overall, it is not fair for some Gooners who really have to spend alot to see a match at the Emirates, and I really do feel for these guys. They are the ones who chant, shout and sing, and if they are not able to attend matches anymore then Arsenal will certainly be missing something this season.

Let’s hope the board comes to a decision fast on this issue, although realistically I don’t expect anything from them this season. The price hike looks quite certain in my eyes, so let’s just hope the ‘real’ Gooner fans can still afford to make the games next year.

Guns-out,

Submitted by THE ARMOURY