Arsenal have taken the unusual step of putting tickets on general sale for their match against West Bromwich Albion at the Emirates Stadium on Thursday, because many regulars have indicated they will not be turning up.
There were more than 2,500 seats available on Tuesday to the club’s members on the ticket exchange while a few hundred more were on offer to the general public.
The situation reflects the frustration felt by fans at how Arsenal’s title challenge has unravelled and been replaced by the familiar scramble for a top-four finish. Arsenal were booed off on Sunday after the 1-1 home draw with Crystal Palace which, on the back of the 3-3 draw at West Ham United, effectively ended their hopes of a first championship since 2004.
Arsenal were top of the table in mid-January but a run of four wins from 13 matches has led to their slide and, at times like these – when apathy is among the prevailing emotions – the supporters who would like Arsène Wenger to depart in the summer can be heard with increasing volume.
The large amount of returns from season-ticket holders for the West Brom game mean that seats are available in all areas and price brackets of the stadium. They start at £36 in the lower tier, behind the goals and in the corners.
The attendance will be a talking point on Thursday, although the club always base their official figure on tickets sold, rather than the number of people who pass through the turnstiles, which does not factor in the no-shows.
