Do Arsenal season ticket holders want their money back?

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We don’t expect it to happen, but would fans like to see Arsenal follow the lead of AC Milan?

What has happened at Milan you ask? Let us fill you in…

From the Guardian: “Milan have promised refunds to disgruntled fans with season tickets following the departure of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva.

“The club made the offer in a statement on Monday after many fans were angered at the departure of the pair, with some even staging a mock funeral outside Milan headquarters.

“A lawsuit has been filed arguing that some fans bought season tickets on the assumption that the two players would be at the club.”

Really? What kind of precedent does this set? It’s quite remarkable, but then surely so is Milan’s double sale of their star defender and star striker.

We’re here to pose the question whether clubs would ever be so ‘charitable’ over here in the Premier League, and to ask if fans would want paying back for their massive outlays?

Specifically, would Arsenal fans demand their money back if star player Robin van Persie is indeed sold?

The Dutchman should have been an integral part of the Gunners’ plans for 2012/13 – but after declaring his intentions to quit the club and being left out of their pre-season tour of Asia, surely there is no way back.

Arsenal charge more than any Premier League club for their season tickets, while frozen this season, they will set fans back between £985 and £1,955.

Compare this with the more modest Aston Villa; between £325 and £595. So if any set of supporters have a right to complain it would be the Gunners, whose chagrin at paying high prices have not been alleviated by a trophy win in recent seasons.

It’s another year, and another star player is leaving. Fabregas and Nasri last year, Van Persie this year. Supporters should never really walk out and quit on their team, but today supporters = customers.

In these hard economic times, fans reserve the right to spend their money how they want, and if they are disillusioned with the club then there may be some who do wish for their money back.

It would be a minority sure, and most anger would fall on the disloyal Van Persie than the club themselves, but for arguments sake if fans wanted refunds as a result, should the club grant it to them?

Are Milan’s actions a one-off in football? Are you an Arsenal season ticket holder – if so what is your view on the relationship between club and supporters?

image: © Ronnie Macdonald