As we're unlikely to see terraces again at football, this is the virtual equivalent where you can chat to your hearts content about all football matters and, obviously, Arsenal in particular. This forum encourages all Gooners to visit and contribute so please keep it respectful, clean and topical.
Simon wrote:I think the policy does make sense. I wouldn't want to see a return to the bad old days when racists would bring flags emblazoned with NF insignia or swastikas to grounds, although personally I don't see any problem with regular national flags. Personally I would love to see more Arsenal flags around the stadium.
By the way - were my eyes deceiving me, or was there a fairly huge Arsenal flag carried over the crowd in the Red Action section the other week at West Ham? That was a pretty good start.
Sorry but you are way out of line there, even in the so-called bad old days there was never a major problem at Arsenal with NF infiltration. They did try at one stage but were soon shown where to go unlike at other London grounds.
I can never remember any racist flags at Highbury and I somehow doubt that there would be any at the grove.
Why would a return to national flags suddenly result in a rise of racism?
I am a patriot and proud of my flag but that doesn't make me a racist.
Fact is we are an 'English' club with a very multi-national squad and we should be allowed to celebrate both our englishmess and our multi - nationalist past present and future. The obvious way to do this is through flags.
Yes the REDaction flag was out at the Spammers game, the difference is that it is not a 'national flag'.
Flags
National flags are not allowed into the Stadium. Flags can be no bigger than 1metre square and they must not be attached to a thick pole, the pole can be no thicker than a pencil.
AlanAlansunderland >
If everyone brings one flag in of that size and all happened to be sat next to each other, surely that wouldn't be a problem?
Simon wrote:I think the policy does make sense. I wouldn't want to see a return to the bad old days when racists would bring flags emblazoned with NF insignia or swastikas to grounds, although personally I don't see any problem with regular national flags. Personally I would love to see more Arsenal flags around the stadium.
By the way - were my eyes deceiving me, or was there a fairly huge Arsenal flag carried over the crowd in the Red Action section the other week at West Ham? That was a pretty good start.
Sorry but you are way out of line there, even in the so-called bad old days there was never a major problem at Arsenal with NF infiltration. They did try at one stage but were soon shown where to go unlike at other London grounds.
I can never remember any racist flags at Highbury and I somehow doubt that there would be any at the grove.
Why would a return to national flags suddenly result in a rise of racism?
I am a patriot and proud of my flag but that doesn't make me a racist.
Fact is we are an 'English' club with a very multi-national squad and we should be allowed to celebrate both our englishmess and our multi - nationalist past present and future. The obvious way to do this is through flags.
Yes the REDaction flag was out at the Spammers game, the difference is that it is not a 'national flag'.
Alan
I think you misunderstood me, or perhaps I didn't express myself well, so apologies. I wasn't suggesting there was a problem with the NF or racism at Arsenal - I was talking about football in general. One of the things that attracted me about Arsenal as a kid was its inclusive nature.
I also made the point that I have no problem with national flags in the stadium, but it seems to me more relevant to have Arsenal flags. Certainly the national flags on display last night helped generate a great atmosphere.
We should be allowed to bring the St Georges Cross or the uinion jack into the Grove. I also think we should be allowed to bring the flag of the country of any player who plays for Arsenal.
How could a Georges cross or union jack offend anybody in England where it is the national flag.
In my opinion unless the club can catagorically give you a reason why they cannot be brought into 'Arsenal' games only as opposed to all stadia they can get fcuked.
If we’re gonna say only the St George & Union Jack flags should be allowed because Arsenal are a English/British club etc etc then surely the U.J. shouldn’t be included cos in football terms Arsenal are an English club, not British. F*ck it we’re a London club so we should ban all flags of supporters’ clubs that have “[insert sh*t English city/town other than London here] Goonersâ€
The whole situation is bollocks if you ask me. Anyway, I often see Ghana flags at Chelsea, on TV. (Essien) That's no problem in my opinion, someone is just showing their support for one of their players. Also, Fulham have a flag for every nationality in their team, lined up at the top of one of their stands. The arsenal on the other hand, have, well fuck all in our stadium.
