Officials from the club have been fairly quiet since the close season. Most fans will hope that this is because the club are busy assessing what went wrong last season and are planning signings and strategies to correct the disappointments the fans experienced post-Carling Cup final. Gazidis had the daunting task of facing the Supporters’ Trust.

Ticket price increases

Ticket price rises were met with dismay amongst  fans especially with the lack of silverware over recent seasons. One supporter claimed that having a season ticket at Arsenal is more expensive than having children. Gazidis responded by saying that this is only the second rise in the last six years and that Arsenal’s utility bills have risen by 100%.

Verdict: Whilst on a business level it is justified, the fans don’t quite see it that way. This seems to be a problem for most fans that the club is treated more like a business rather than a sports club. Fans want to see trophies so when there isn’t any questions are going to be asked. However, I’m sure if the club won some silverware or saw some big signings from their direct input to the club, pressures would ease.

The manager

When asked what it would take for the removal of Wenger as manager Gazidis quickly backed Arsene 100% and that the only situation in which Wenger would be removed is when the fans would make it unsustainable for him to stay, however he believes that we are far from that.

Verdict: it would be foolish of Gazidis to disclose the conditions of Wenger’s sacking and at a time when the club needs to be stable both financially and on the field, he gave the most sensible answer he could. It was interesting that when there was a question about whether someone will be brought in to help AW with defensive coaching, it was met with applause even though Wenger has previously stated that there will not be any changes to his backroom staff.

Signings

Gazidis confirmed that the club having already been talking to potential signings and has admitted that it will be a busy summer with players moving out and players coming in. He cites ‘experience to close down games’ as being a key missing part of the jigsaw. Another question that was met with applause was the idea of bringing David Dein back to the club to help with negotiations but this idea was quickly dismissed by Ivan.

Verdict: Every fan knows Arsenal need to buy, however the patience of the fans is surely going to be tested with Arsenal keeping any transfer dealings quiet in typical fashion. With Man Utd and Liverpool already making moves and Man City being linked with a host of top class talent, fans will hope that the club know exactly what they’re doing. Should there be a high turnover of players, as a fan myself, I would hope that next year’s excuse will not be that ‘the team are stilling gelling together’. Of course signings will not guarantee success but a significant improvement must be seen. When asked about who is responsible for Clichy/Nasri contract situation he answered sternly that the club would not be held to ransom, which is believe is a good thing to send out the message that no player is bigger than the club.

Kroenke

Gazidis confirmed that Silent Stan will continue to follow the self sustaining model of the club and that you only need to look at his track record with his previous sporting investments that he will not be taking any money out of the club.

Verdict: again Gazidis gave the sensible answer and reassured the fans. As a fan I’m pleased with this decision but my focus is on winning trophies and not the financial running of the club, as with most fans. Of course I would not want the club to go bust but many fans are concerned that the club focus more on the profitability of the club rather than what happens on the pitch.

Overall

Ivan Gazidis has to be credited for dealing with many frustrated supporters calmly and rationally. He spoke well and reassured the fans of all the things they want to hear. However, the proof is in the pudding and fans will want to see high quality signings rather than just hear about them. The real answers will come at the start of the 11/12 season and more importantly the end of it.

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