Using the most recent game, Manchester City away, I noticed officials going against us early on. There were some early incidents that got the City fans moaning. This led to them booing decisions that went against them and adding pressure on the ref and unfortunately for us, the linesmen. I remember Girod getting the ball in what the home fans thought was an offside position; the home support went insane as if he got away with studs-up challenge a la Toure on Girod later in the same game. The crowd’s reaction put huge pressure on the officials in the game, and it told. In fact, the City fans kept out two goals the City defence could not. So, what do we do? How do we get round this?

As an Arsenal fan I feel somewhat paranoid every time a clear foul does not result in a free kick, or a blatant goal is not given (x2 v Man City or example). To me, it is obvious; we don’t get our ‘rub of the green’. Even if every time we do win a penalty we see Mark Hughes or Hippo-Head on MoTD being quoted “You never get decisions against big teams”.

I don’t believe it is a conspiracy against us, unless Mike Dean is ref, then I have to ask questions. However, Dean aside I think the issue is to do with us, the fans. I believe the fans at the Grove need to put more pressure on officials.

This is not a dig at Arsenal season ticket holders. Despite our reputation we are fantastic on the road and the home fans go in the tens of thousands every week, without trophies and with the high prices. How many would Man City or Chelsea get after an 8 year drought? Chelsea couldn’t fill the Emirates after even after 10 years of trophy after trophy.

Using the most recent game, Manchester City away, I noticed officials going against us early on. There were some early incidents that got the City fans moaning. This led to them booing decisions that went against them and adding pressure on the ref and unfortunately for us, the linesmen. I remember Girod getting the ball in what the home fans thought was an offside position; the home support went insane as if he got away with studs-up challenge a la Toure on Girod later in the same game. The crowd’s reaction put huge pressure on the officials in the game, and it told. In fact, the City fans kept out two goals the City defence could not. So, what do we do? How do we get round this?

We could wait for the FA to fix it . . . . OK, we know that won’t work. I go to more away games than home games. I used to go to Highbury regularly, but stopped going to home games when I moved up north. I noticed quickly that the northerners contest everything. Throw-ins, corners, free kicks, penalties everything. This makes places like Anfield, Middle Eastlands and Old Trafford difficult for teams to play in.

We have the second largest crowd in the UK, we need to take advantage. I know the stewards at the Home of Football fight our attempts to get behind the team. However, let’s face it, when The Arsenal players misplace a pass you can hear the collective grown from Finsbury Park Tube Station. The Highbury faithful can make some tremendous noise on big occasions; however, it’s the moaning that gives the northerners their advantage. I have been to all the big grounds, and they don’t impress me any more than The Arsenal. For me it’s their moaning at every opportunity that gives them the edge.

With Chelsea coming up we should really contest everything. Not boo the ref and lino, contest everything. I am confident that if every time an Arsenal player went down in the box we shouted ‘PENALTY’ we would win more pens. If every time an Arsenal players is fouled, like we will be on Monday when Chelsea visit the Mighty Arsenal, we shout “FOUL” we force a deserved yellow sooner. This will restrict Jose from using the same old tactic of ‘taking us out of our stride’ with ‘tactical fouls’, tactical fouls, a foul is a foul, right? Anyway, my point it is that we can influence a game more by just moaning like northerners.