Arsenal Fans Protest Mirrored How The Team Plays

Arsenal went into their match against Norwich knowing protests were on the way, but in the end, the fans looked just as convinced as the players.

I was not a a fan of the idea of open and planned protesting in the stands during a match. I thought the idea was a tad too much. Sure, there is reason to be frustrated, but to withdraw support from the players is completely unnecessary. It succeeded in hurting Arsene Wenger’s feelings, but aside from that, what did it really do?

Part of the problem was how feeble it was. As Jamie Redknapp put it, the protests were a ‘waste of time’. Only a few clumps of fans put up their silly little signs.

Which made me think. Isn’t it ironic that the zeal behind the fans’ protests mirrors the zeal behind Arsenal’s players this season?

For all the talent that Arsenal has on the pitch and for how much quality there is at each individual position, the club has been unable to band together, lift each other up, or establish any semblance of consistency. They waltz out there looking bored and uninspired and go to the pressers afterwards and complain about hunger. Well, where was that complaining on the pitch? When they give up a goal, it’s the usual walk of shame back to the middle of the pitch where they start things over, like zombies.

Occasionally, certain combinations of players will be effective, but that effectiveness will not carry over to any other players and the attack looks lopsided and is easily snuffed out. It’s a recurring problem and one that has become synonymous with Arsenal.

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How appropriate that it can now also apply to the fans and the way they protest.

The rift was clear enough. For all of the ‘Wenger Out’ signs, there were scattered support signs as well. ‘In Wenger We Trust’ hung from one section of the stands. Not far from that, some scribbled piece of paper that claimed that Wenger had been a failure for 12 years and Ranieri had found glory in nine months. The commentators quickly put that lone ‘fan’ right where they belonged.

In the end, what did the protest accomplish? Absolutely nothing. The fans were divided in their message, they weren’t coordinated in their efforts and no one was on the same page. It wasn’t even really a protest, it was just a couple people holding up signs.

Next: Walcott Exit Helps Everyone

Oh, the similarities. Everything about Arsenal these days needs to be unified. And there is no unification to be found.

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