Summer 2015 saw Arsenal pull off the coup of the season. They signed Cech. While the mere thought of giving Cech to the team he loved to hate was making a manager cringe, his captain immediately said that Cech was worth an extra 12 points. In the game against Leicester we saw just that with a huge save from a Vardy header right on the line and had that gone in, Arsenal’s title chances would have gone out of the window.
From that moment on the 12th man began warming up. From being a quiet guy, the match winner everyone at any club wants, found his feet, or more aptly his voice. A sleeping giant who more often than not has grumbled his/her way through each and every game when things were not going well, lying there dormant and occasionally finding his voice to break the silence of the library. Slowly warming up, it began increasing in intensity until it reached ear shattering proportions. The sleeping giant of crowd support was at its most intense during the last 10 minutes of the game…..a decibel level which was broken and reached record levels when the leather left the grazed skin of Welbeck’s forehead and caressed the net in a loving manner.
It was the 94th minute of the 13th home game of the season. Out of 1200+ minutes it was only during the last 15 minutes the crowd found its full voice. One can rightly challenge me and say that there were other moments and he/she may be right.
But why point out moments? Why periods of time? Why not fully support the team from the first whistle of the season to the last whistle of the season? Why not before the game? Why not make the opposing team simply dread going out of the tunnel let alone play the game? Why not make refs think twice about upsetting the home fans and neglect to give correct decisions? Would the ref have seen Drinkwater’s challenge on Ramsey as normal if the hair on the back of his neck was being given a roasting by the home support?
Why don’t the club use a song which can be associated with coming to Arsenal? Like for example We will Rock You by Queen. Is it too much to ask? Imagine the crowd stamping their feet and clapping their hands or banging something else to the tune, making The Emirates an experience of hell or a cauldron of hate.
Cauldron of hate. That’s a strong phrase but in my opinion the supporters need to show their support, keep encouraging Arsenal’s players till the 95th minute and freeze the opposition. I have been to similar cauldrons in Europe – Juventus vs Inter, Roma vs Lazio and believe me, I was terrified even though I was with the home supporters. On the internet I have seen Galatasaray supporters and I remember the comments of the opposition supporters and how much they dreaded going to their stadium. So why not create the same atmosphere?
Think about it Gunners supporters. Not when the team is winning, not just during the game, but even before the teams are out on the pitch. We all remember the man in black punching the air and jumping with glee when a boy in white scored at our end. Do you honestly think he would have done that if he had the crowd baying for blood?
The next time you begin grumbling about this team, keep in mind that by doing so you are playing right into the referee and the opposition’s hands. Don’t grumble against this or that player not being fit enough to wear the Arsenal shirt, just make them aware that lacking the right attitude will not be tolerated.
Remember, the crowd reduced Eboue to tears once. Now is the time to do so to the opposition.
Yes Cech is worth around 12 points. But so is the 12th man.
By Devilgunner.
Morning all.
Thanks Devil and a good read…
Sensational stuff, Devil.
Morning Rico and all.
The crowd can sit and blame the side for a lack of atmosphere, or they can make it.
Good Morning Lovelies and hunkies.
I was just going through the players listed with AFC and saw that Tafari Moore is listed as right back…solid and likes to go forward. I would like to ask those who go the the youth games if they think that he can deputise for Bellerin if he gets injured or needs a rest.
Morning Scott..
I do think it could be a lot better, as Devil says, when the crowd do up a gear, the place is alive but it’s just a shame it’s not for much longer period of times during a match..
Thanks Rico and Scott. I would like AFC supporters to be feared…….by the opposition. And respected by the playes, manager and directors. That is all I ask. Make the Emirates a real fortress. A cauldron.
Just heard that the Atleti Manager has been appointed by the Chavs for next season.
Totally agree. The various supporter groups voted on songs and I think London ‘ calling won however one of the directors imposed the wonder of you and put the crowd to sleep. Mainly these things come from the crowd but the average person doesn’t join and we get red army or the greatest team. Bring back wings of a sparrow I say.
Rick, Kev and Bt keep tabs on the under 21’s Devil…
What about a few drums and vazoobas of whatever they are called… 😉
Who gives a hoot about what one of the directors impose???
All it needs is a group of say around 100 supporters to agree and start it off. It will soon rub on the whole stadium. One director against 55,000+ supporters chanting we will rock you. I remember at Highbury……when the opposition keeper was going to take a goal kick the supporters used to shout in unison…..Ahhhhhhhhh, You SHIT, AHHHH. Whatever happened to that? Last year it was OOOOOOOOOSSSSPIIINNNNAAAAAAAAA. I do not think one of the directors can go against all the supporters. Surely the stewards will not be able to stop 55,000+ chanting Rock you.
vuvuzelas they are Rico.
But are drums and vuvuzelas allowed at the EMS? Or will they be confiscated at the entrance?
I think we should become more like Dortmund under Klopp – non-stop noise, jumping and banter.
Not allowed as fa as I know Devil..
Arsenal,perhaps more so than any other club have the opportunity to create an intimidating atmosphere.both for opposition fans & refs,like dean.for starters.stick the away fans up in the rafters ala Newcastle.very hard to make yourself heard or intimidate the home team/crowd.when you’re up with the gods.secondly ,have a word with the stewards who over officiate the no standing rule.if you want to go to the opera f***k off to Covent Garden.lastly would love to see2 huge cannons thundering out as Arsenal & the opp take to the pitch why not?we have the best symbol in the world & make so little use of it.it would be intimidating to say the least..lastly our crowd.in some ways it’s too nice.opp north they scream bloody murder if the ref doesn’t give em a throw in…
yes but whistles, mouths, hands and feet are allowed. As Iceman said……supporters….”should become more like Dortmund under Klopp – non-stop noise, jumping and banter.”
supporters need to realise that stewards divide and conquer. Remember when they used to eject someone just for standing up?? And when they were going to do so one supporter used to shout….”Stand up if you hate Tottenham” and a whole curve stood up. What are the stewards going to do….chuck all the supporters out??
I remember 5 years ago, at my son’s primary school, the head did not want anyone going with the carnival costume, telling them that who went with the costume they would be sent home. What happened? the parents ganged up and out a population of 480 kids, around 450 went with the costume. Who was the object of ridicule, the kids or the head?? No need to answer, but imo something must be done to put the stewards and directors in their place. The supporters pay…..therefore the supporters decide. I am not talking about a few dozen….i am talking about 55K+ AFC supporters. And before the stewards get it into their head to chuck anyone out they would do better to think that if needs be they would be chucked out by the supporters themselves.
Now that would be a fine sight…..the supporters ganging up on the stewards and chucking them out of the ground. lol
But aren’t the fans told to sit down as soon as they stand? Unless we are playing the Totts of course…
UWOT…..that is simply awesome. Two cannons!!!!!! Woowwwwwww. yes they may fire blanks but that would be terrific.
As for sticking the opposition fans up near the rafters…..that is another good suggestion.
As far as i know, screaming blue murder at the ref and opposition is not prohibited at the gates.
What are you waiting for supporters. Intimidate the stewards first, then the ref and the opposition.
yes Rico….they are told to sit down. but only because only a few here and there stand up. If 55K+ stand up, and want to stand up, no matter what the stewards do, or how much the PA system shouts, 55K+ will drown it.
Imagine the crowd chanting to Dean……
YOU BIG DISGRACE…LEAVING YOUR HAIR ALL OVER THE PLACE
singing……..
WE WILL WE WILL ROCK (F**K) YOU.
now that would be awesome.
Great article, agree 100%. Of course everyone can criticise, have their reservations about whatever, but the stadium on a matchday is not the place for that. Just get behind the team. If you’re angry, take it out on the opposition or the officials, not our boys.
And incidentally you don’t have to be standing up to sing. I sing while sitting. If people stand up, some of those behind them can’t see, and I personally do not want to miss a moment of what is going on on the pitch, nor cause anyone else to.
Agree Devil, as proved when we play the ‘bigger’ teams and certainly the neighbours…
Unfortunately it just isn’t like that over there.
FunG – a safe standing area would help…
I agree with you wholeheartedly. Noise, positive noise can be the team’s 12th man. It needs all the supporters at it. However, their are too many fully paid up members of the Librarians society on the one hand and far too many non-aligned tourists who have come only to see the ‘show’. Far from 55,000 shouting and yelling of you’re lucky you might encourage 30,000 to give it a bit of a go. Enough? Well perhaps but the design of the seating, the dibursement of the likeminded noisy fans ensures that except in very unusual circumstances the club has divided support and ruled on silence!
Can it be changed to a hotbed of partisan bellowing for nearly 90 minutes, I’m not sure. I don’t think the average middle class audience that are attracted to afternoon of expensive entertainment are inclined to demonstrate their comitment to the cause, verbally or musically! It would require cheer leaders in every coral in the ground to encourage such outrageous out pourings of partiality! But it would be worth a try and should be encouraged…….loudly!
Morning all. Miserable here, wet and windy.
Wavy, I think your view is close to the reality of The Emirates…
You are right Wavy and Rico. That view is closer to reality as you say. However, it is a reality which can be changed…..you only need to convince around two thousand. They will soon multiply and increase. Wavy, if you manage to convince 30K I can assure you that its more than enough. And its infectious. It will soon escalate. All it needs is some ring leaders. Supporters will join in if someone has the balls to begin something.
Its frustrating for me being so far away. I have been to other grounds, as a tourist, and I was with the home crowd. And believe me, its very scary, even though I was with the home support. I would love to be there as a ringleader.
Good read. Sadly it was the same at Highbury. Used to get people behind me talking about weddings,etc. The only time they made a noise was to slag their own players. Even the likes of Bergkamp got abuse! Always said if our crowd treated the ref and opposition the way they treat our players it would be like an extra man. The further north you go the more intimidating it gets
Afternoon all, That was poetry Devil describing Welbs goal!
Agree about having a proper anthem, Rock You be good, or something else rousing like Highway To Hell!
It’s the same old thing Devil, once a few start, others will follow suit imo..
A bit like a dance floor, no-one wants to get up first… 😉
Ah the atmosphere at home games…
If only it was that simple?
Great post btw Coach, good work…
The crowd at Highbury could be a bit on the grumpy side, you know, like Wath…
The change in the crowd, the gentrification of it, had obviously had an effect.
Seating has definately caused a drop in crowd intensity as well…
Tourists, Middle Class fans, more woman, they all have an effect…
But I’ve been on the North Bank terraces at Highbury and the atmosphere stank the place out
The standard of the opposition.
The importance of the game.
Those imo, are the two main drivers of the atmosphere…
Personally speaking, I hope that Dean gets dogs abuse from the start to the finish of the game this weekend…
He really does deserve it…
I would like like to see safe standing behind both goals, and the away fans in the upper tier, out of the way, as at Newcastle as someone mentioned…
Kev……what would you do if you heard the crowd chanting that song about Dean….leaving your hair all over the place……lol
Tottenham would be banned for at least the next 5 years, due to the damage they cause at the Grove…
If the FA/EPL complain, send them the bill for the repairs next time the Scummers wreck the toilets…
Good point there Bob.. Over at the neighbours place it’s pretty rowdy too….
Coach, I have enough things of my own, that I would love to impart on Michael Dean… ?
Don’t you go blaming the women Kev, they like to sing more than men… 😉
……in the shower you mean Rico?????
No, in general Devil..
Ha ha, Rico, some do, some are really quite raucous, but in general I think they calm down some situations…
Although I have sat next to Mrs Adam, when a game is going awry, and it’s like sitting next to a Volcano… ???
There are two types of singing women Rico. There are those who sing. then there are those who make men sing. And at the top of their voice too. 😛
I think most woman enjoy having a sing song, especially when they’re doing the ironing… ?
Kev, perhaps there are too many gentleman at the Ems, who think that women are too fragile and don’t like naughty words… 😉 😉
I tend to have a personality transplant when I watch sport… Lol
Cheeky Bugger Kev, when I iron, I watch television… 😉
Rooney out for 6 weeks….
Good… How many bb episodes are there Lee??
I’m on 102 right now… Lol
6 series I think….
What you think of it?
It’s grown on us, a lot. Definitely see it through to the end…
The ending is the bollocks! I’ll say no more…
I look forward to that, I’m just watching the one where Brandon gets busted. Entrapment I’d call it… Lol
Long way to go yet I guess…..
Making changes is the only option I’ve got. After Arsenal, we play again on Tuesday and then Friday so I have to make sure we’re fresh enough to compete in those games as well.”
Bruce also confirmed that loan pair Chuba Akpom and Isaac Hayden will be ineligible to face their parent club.
BB?
What, Big Brother?
I didn’t know you was a fan Lee…?
I think Arsene Wenger will make changes too….
Back come Elneny, Gibbs (if fit) Ospina, Campbell, Iwobi, Flamini, Arteta….
Ha ha Kev, breaking bad…
Elneny to start for sure I reckon Rico…
Welbeck at centre-forward?
Centre-back could be an issue?
Just heard on the BBC that there’s rumours that Rooney is out for 2 months…
Fingers crossed ?
It’s everywhere about Rooney Kev, I didn’t know until Lee posted it earlier.. ?
Chambers & Merts is my guess. Welbeck could get a run out which is only good news. He’s clearly up for it now. Lol
Jeff, Iwobi could feature but yes, with Barca just a few days after, centre back is an issue…
Lavezzi has gone to China, £400k a week. And he’s 30!
Imo the team against Hull will be……
Ospina
Bellerin, Per, Chambers, Gibbs
Elneny, Flamini
Theo, Iwobi, Campbell
Welbeck
Not a bad line up. A good one imo……but as Kev said….CB is an issue now.
Dont be surprised to see Tafari Moore at RB. He is 19 years after all. In which case Campbell will go to the right, Theo to the left and Danny stays up front. Or Danny goes to the right, Theo up front and Campbell on the left. But to introduce Moore at RB and leave Theo in front of him would be murder. Theo does not track back to help.
Flamini at rb Imo devil, just hope it’s not chambers.
Theo does track back.. Not always, but he does…
I’m off guys..
Night all..
Thanks again Devil, night to you…
night boss.
And thanks to you as well for posting it.
And many thanks to all members of HH who commented positively on the post. I hope that you all manage to convince at least one or two persons each to create an atmosphere at the Ems. Hopefully they will also encourage the others to do so…….and create a ripple effect.
Soz guys off d grid again all day!
Great post Devil interesting from start to finish! A bit of a Partisan presence mite do Theo and half arsed cronies no harm the fear of getting on the wrong end of the crowd!
Real Madrid jus scored a second, classy goal by Jese he looks tidy are we linked??
Do you reckon Roma should have had a penalty about 5 minutes before he 2nd goal @?
It’s like this …. You’ve seen them given
But Roma definitely were having a good 10 min spell just before RMs second goal!
Ramon Dunphy just called James useless on Irish tv haha jus claimed a bear wouldn’t hug Rafa Benitez lol he can be funny
*Eamon
I know everyone is gone but try n see Draxlers second goal if u can great goal
Great post Devil!!!
Loved it…
When I was in London, I went to the Emirates and watched Arsenal Vs Aston Villa (5-0) last year… I was sitting right above the away fans and what I saw was just sad…
The away fans were making more noise for most of the match than home fans and it happened continuously…
The occasional Oooooooosssspina and oohhhh Saaantii Cazzooorlaaaa did feel good, but there were only few moments that everyone got together to cheer… I shouted a lot (May be due to watching a match at Emirates for the first time), but noticed the silence of the people nearby for most of the match…
This should chance… Even when people who are willing to start a reverberating atmosphere are stranded and divided in the stadium, all it takes is one man to start and people will slowly pick up the rhythm…
Good Morning Lovelies and Hunkies.
Very early it is today.
Saw the Real vs Roma game…….Potter you are right. Roma should have had a penalty. It was a stonewall penalty.
Ronaldo definitely loves to score against Arsenal and anyone associated with Arsenal. His goal was a skill masterclass and a scorcher as well. Ches had no chance poor sod. That goal game when Roma had their best spell up till then. The 2nd goal was also a poacher’s goal. Roma did well and deserved a goal. They missed a couple of chances Salah being the main culprit.
Ronaldo and Drogba were Arsenal players playing for the wrong team. Pity we did not get them. For a few more quid we could have had those two and probably a couple of more tin cups on the way. the rest would have been history.
Morning Devil and all…
Certainly is , in Block 10 we are noisy as are 11, but from there I cant say because the design of the stadium makes it hard to hear. of the noise goes up through the roof and we certainly can’t hear anything above us from the upper tier. Noise from the clock end is like a distant rumble over the horizon. I don’t think the stadium was designed with this in mind rather more as an amphitheatre for a play or concert. I spent last night trying to decipher Portuguese maybe Joaquim could help as to the way the Benfica fans view their stadium , after all it’s the same blueprint.
Meaning all.
Meaning all??? what is meaning all? 😛
do you mean that everyone has a meaning? Or do you mean everyone means something? Or do you mean that everyone is blessed by a meaning whether or not we mean something? Or are you trying to give a meaning to everyone?
Scott, i am confused. 😉
I mean Fukk this IPad.
Stupid peace of shit, and yes, SHIT was spelt correctly 🙂
PIECE wasn’t but there it goes again.
http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/10171564/robert-pires-i-didnt-bring-diving-to-the-premier-league
Love what Sir Bobby says about Mills…
New post up now…