Arsenal boss Jonas Eidevall says the boom in support around the team gives the Gunners a big advantage over their competitors, both in terms of the revenue it generates and the impact of the support on the players.
All five of Arsenal’s domestic away games so far this season have led to record crowds for the home team and 50,000 tickets have currently been sold for the home game against Chelsea on December 10th. Eidevall says this is important for very tangible sporting reasons.
‘Everyone that is a part of this team feels that support and that special bond. We’re so grateful to have it. When you see the growth in women’s football, attendance figures is perhaps the most important growth factor.
‘The reality is there is not a prize money structure yet in the European competitions that give you a huge advantage. It still covers your expenses and not more. But it is a giant leap to going from selling 4,000 tickets to 60,000.
‘That is a huge, huge leap which grows revenue, which enables sustainability and investing into the team and giving you more sporting success. The interest we have around the team is great, as a club, like we are doing, we need to capitalise on that and make sure that is one of the things that makes Arsenal stand out compared to our competitors.
‘We should really generate momentum and as a foundation to drive sporting success in a way that our competitors, at the moment, cannot do.’ Eidevall also says the volume and size of the support has made a difference as Arsenal have chased late goals this season. They have scored seven goals in the 85th minute or later so far this season.
‘It is linked, the mentality of the team and the support we get from the fans. That we are able to turn games around late, they play a massive part in that. The atmosphere of the fans and the support they give us, they never, ever stop believing. They never stop singing for us.
‘If they had the mentality of turning their back on the team in the 80th minute because they don’t have the result they like, that will be a self fulfilling prophecy.
‘That bond is getting stronger and it helps us on the pitch because the fans are amazing. They are true supporters, they are with the team the whole way. After the game against Liverpool when we were so disappointing, what was the fan reaction?
‘They travel in huge numbers to Manchester to support us on a Friday night. It felt like a home game with the way our fans sound. They are a huge part of us being able to win seven games in a row.’
Eidevall also said new directives around increased stoppage time have helped his team to score so many late goals, ‘It helps a little that we know that we will get the time back in a much more truthful way than we had been before, because they add on time for more situations. That gives us a better calmness to play those final minutes.’
The Gunners are on track to sell out their top of the table clash with Chelsea at Emirates Stadium on December 10 with 50,000 tickets sold. Eidevall urged supporters to snatch up the last batch of tickets.
‘We should sell out, it’s a great game, we are already 50,000 sold, don’t miss out, buy a ticket, bring a friend or family member and let’s get a sellout for the first time in our WSL history. This is a great occasion and everyone should be pushing for that.’
I understand the importance of growing the support for the long-term sustainability and profitability of the women’s club. But that support depends on the team delivering consistently – not just results but performances worthy of our history. We’re getting the former – just about – but not the latter. Support will not continue to grow regardless of how well we perform. JE and the team need to step up.
If we could scout a couple of super talented, ideally charismatic, black and Asian women who were first team ready, I think it would be worth going to market for them.
Not as tokenism, but as trail (re)blazers to put us back on the right track,. At the moment many young women would think twice before coming to Arsenal and that will be our loss in future.
Sorry, l don’t agree with you at all there. I see plenty of ‘people of colour’ at the games, why would they be put off just because currently there are no such girls in the squad? Look at some of the great players we’ve had in the past, Scott, Asante and Yankey. The right players are whats most important
The feeling you get standing in The North Bank (MP) is phenomenal, when we’re all singing to the girls and they are very responsive to that is something very special and no other club has quite that sort of support. And then when we all sing ‘North London forever’ at the Emirates…and lm not even from London!!! It is a very unique experience. I know lots of young girls who are getting into football, funnily enough they all choose Arsenal as their team.