My friend brought this to my attention: www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/...-fight-banner-calling-Arsene-Wenger-quit.html My personal judgement will come after the window. We know Wenger has the cash now it's solely on him to spend. I'm also waiting to see what pans out with the great Henry trying to convince Usmanov to place a takeover bid -- I don't see the board letting it happen still.
This is old news mate. For my two penneth, I think the people who unfurled this banner are a couple of ****s. Who would, at 80mins just when we were pushing for a winner make a statement like this ? It doesn't exactly put the 'support' into 'supporter'. Is the concept of the 12th man lost on them ? I mean for ****s sake ? What were they hoping it would achieve ? Do they think it was going to somehow inspire the team to win ? Did they think that Wenger would see it and say 'ok, they're right, I will walk' ? What the **** would that achieve ? As far as I'm concerned, the people with this banner might as well have been cheering on the opposition, because that's the effect it would have had. I don't condone them getting a good kicking for it, but you might say they were asking for it.
I'm sorry but this is just football. To say they were "asking for it", just because they brought out a banner, is poor mate.
Like I said, I don't condone it. But I can understand why, in the heat of an intense cup tie, with ten minutes to go, people got arsey with them. What did they expect ? They have to take responsibility for the effect it would have, surely they knew that ? I repeat, I don't condone them getting punched - if they even did? - but I can understand why it would be met with an angry reaction.
I just hate all the thuggery and abuse that goes on at football games. Plenty of parents take there kids down to watch footy but have to subject them to neanderthals, screaming and drooling fans. There are plenty of ways to support your team without having to swear and abuse opposing players or fans. There are also acceptable ways of resorting to violence, but at a football game against a few people that have opposing views, shows a distinct lack of control and animalistic behaviour. Leave it to the authorities to deal with.
I agree with you fella But I can also understand that in the heat of the moment, with emotions running high, that this was a pretty inflammatory thing to do. So they should have been prepared for the reaction it would have. I've got no problem if people think that Wenger should leave, that's their opinion and they are entitled to it. But with that, those people also need to realise that the majority of Arsenal fans want to support our manager and players to try and help them win. If you feel the need to express your negative opinion at a crucial stage in an FA cup tie, then you also have to accept that those who disagree with you will express theirs - and whilst I don't condone any physical assault - if indeed any actually happened? - I think it was a likely reaction. Try holding up a BNP banner on an anti racist demonstration, would you then have cause for complaining that you were 'just expressing your opinion' ?
BNP banner is different as it is seen to be supporting racism, which isn't welcome in any civilised society. Putting up a "Wenger out" banner just illustrates that some people are no longer happy with him. They are ofcourse entitled to there opinion. I think they picked the wrong place to put that banner up. You get a higher proportion of "hardcore" fans going to away games, as opposed to the ones that are at home. Strangely they would have escaped any physical danger being at home. Also there is a time and a place to protest, doing it while your team is playing is not a good idea. Funnily enough though, the "fight" probably brought more attention to the situation than if nothing happened....
Yep, it's an extreme example I know, but I was just using it for illustrative purposes. If you hold aloft a anti Arsenal banner in amongst a crowd of Arsenal fans in the heat of the moment at a game, then you have to expect a hostile reaction. I agree that they are entitled to express their opinions, I also agree that they should also expect it to be met with a counter opinion
If these couple of clowns wanted to make a statement, why do it when the team were playing ? Did they want us to lose ? Unless they were trying to cause disruption, then they should have unfurled it after the game. But we all know that would have made them look like even bigger pricks, seeing as Wenger had just steered us into the 5th round of the cup
The first thing that should be said is that this banner was unfurled after the game-a game we had won-not during it.If that photo had been taken during the game why are there so many empty seats for a game that was a sell out ?.This banner has also been shown at Reading and Wigan.Secondly the owners of this banner were posting photos of it on Twitter & Facebook prior to the game quite clearly boasting of what they were going to do.Thirdly the owners of this banner are the same clowns who who tried to organise the "black binbag" protest last season whiich so spectacularly failed.Last but not least these are the same people who were asking fans to boycott the Swansea FA Cup replay.I would have thought the way to support your team was to watch them play not boycotting games.
The empty seats are because they always leave a gap between the home and away fans. Im surprised to see any home fans that close. I live in Brighton so go occassionally and know that the stand in the corner is usually empty. They must have sold a few tickets there this time which would explain why they got a new attendance record without any additional seating.
If you saw the TV pictures you'll see there was a physical barrier between the fans The empty seats in that photo are where Arsenal were allocated seats
I agree with that. I also think that you you need to be aware that an inflammatory gesture is likely to receive a hostile response.
Like the hostile response to the cartoons of Muhammad? I guess that was an inflammatory gesture too. No-one should be discouraged from speaking their minds by violent idiots.
I never agree with violence but those clowns knew what they were doing.As i've already said in a previous post,that's not the first game where the banner has appeared and they were openly posting photos of themselves with the banner on Twitter & Facebook before the game.In my view they were looking to get a reaction
You should be able to speak your mind, as long as it's not intended to disrespect another persons colour or personal beliefs. Unfortunately we still live in a world where there is a lot of intolerence and ignorance. In a world where knowledge is free for all, it's suprising that most people know little of other peoples cultures and beliefs. I work in an office where there are plenty of educated and well to do people. But it's shocking at how limited their worldly knowledge is.
You should be able to speak your mind, as long as it's not intended to disrespect another persons colour or personal beliefs. Unfortunately we still live in a world where there is a lot of intolerence and ignorance. In a world where knowledge is free for all, it's suprising that most people know little of other peoples cultures and beliefs. I work in an office where there are plenty of educated and well to do people. But it's shocking at how limited their worldly knowledge is.
Again, that's an extreme example as my BNP banner on an Anti-Racist march was pointed out to be. But I take your point. I should make it clear again, that I'm not condoning physical assault in any way shape or form. I just think it's a deliberately inflammatory gesture, which was always going to be met with a hostile response. It doesn't mean that they can't make it if they want, but they also have to expect the response that comes with it. My personal view is that it does nothing positive to help our team, so unfurling it in front of them is a counter productive move.
The worst thing about it is the attempt to show the banner after we have won the game,Brighton,Wigan and Reading.
