Written by @DarrenArsenal1 on Wednesday, 11 April 2012 14:31

In many ways I thought twice about doing this question and answer session, I knew the regard that Piers has with many Arsenal fans, and I knew I would get a fair amount of grief for doing this, which as it turns out I have. I have been accused of being self serving, or doing this for ego or gain. That charge is of course absurd, since I do not blog, have no site to promote or do not try and make a living doing so. Neither is it for followers, as if that was the case I would have accepted all the numerous invitations to do a blog, or podcast's that I have had. I simply thought I would be interested in knowing what Piers had to say about certain subjects, subjects that he gets criticised for constantly that include Copenhagen, Arsene, and Tweeting amongst others.

He did not need to do this, but did, so on that basis, my thanks are due. There were no preconditions, nor were any sought.

I think, as you will see, he has been robust in his replies so please don’t shoot the messenger.

@DarrenArsenal1

Q&A With Piers Morgan and DarrenArsenal1

This Q&A was also posted on http://chroniclesofalmunia.wordpress.com/

1) Hi Piers, so let me start by saying that it seems that to many Arsenal fans you don't have the greatest of reputations ... So is the purpose of this Q&A to convey the real Piers or just to build some bridges?

I don’t feel any need to build bridges. I’ve been an Arsenal fan for 40 years, have held a season ticket for the last 20, and currently own four season tickets and ten Arsenal shares. I’m entitled to my opinions as much as any other Arsenal fan. The difference is that I respect everyone else’s opinion, even if I don’t agree with it, whereas some Arsenal fans refuse to respect mine. That’s their prerogative but I think it’s silly. It’s football, not war. I’m never going to stop supporting Arsenal, nor am I ever going to stop expressing honest opinions.

2) I remember you from your earliest days at Bizarre, were you out on the town each night seeing what stories you could pick up? So why choose entertainment over sport or wasn't it an avenue open to you.

I always wanted to be a sports reporter, funnily enough, and used to write pieces for sports magazines as a teenager. But then I got offered the Bizarre column on The Sun at the age of 23, and a whole new world of amusement opened up to me.

3) When did you start going to watch The Arsenal, was it because of family reasons?

I started going from the age of six, so from 1971. As you can imagine, that was a pretty good time to start being an Arsenal fan! I had posters of Charlie George on my wall. My dad’s a lifelong Spurs fan, so this caused a bit of tension at home….

4) So if he was a Spurs fan, what made you become an Arsenal fan?

He was working hard, took his eye off the ball, and Charlie George wooed me away. Dad's regretted it for the last 40 years.

5) An obvious one here favourite game or player?

Favourite game was when we won the League at Old Trafford, Wiltord scoring the only goal. I was there, and after the game ran on the pitch and joined in the players’ group hug. Still got those pictures somewhere. Later, I met Liam Brady in the lounge, and hugged him too. There was a lot of hugging going down that night.

My favourite player would be Bergkamp. He was the best I’ve ever seen in an Arsenal shirt. Though Thierry ran him pretty close.

6) I believe you were on the last shareholder roll at Arsenal, are you still one, or did you sell to Kroenke or Usmanov?

I still own ten Arsenal shares, though I recently transferred one of them to my eldest son his 18th birthday. It’s his proudest possession. He’s an Arsenal nutcase.

7) So why haven't you sold to either?

I don’t want to sell them –I want to be invested in the club financially as well as emotionally. Gives me the right to express proper opinion, critical and praiseworthy.

8) So on that basis then you are in favour of no singular Arsenal owner, plurality of ownership, ergo which must mean that you are broadly in favour of the club self sustaining strategy

No not really. The ownership issue is a red herring. As you can see at United, you can still win trophies when you accrue debt, and when you have a foreign owner, and when your team's in 'transition.' Ferguson has proved it, once again. I'm in favour of competing with the best teams in England and Europe for trophies. I don't think our transfer strategy, even given the funds we've had available, has enabled us to do that.

9) We will come onto what many will want to discuss later regards your stint as Mirror editor, but when you were made editor did you ever bury bad news arsenal stories?

No, I never got involved in that. I let the sports guys do their job, and they did it so well that I used to get letters accusing me of being biased against Arsenal! Imagine how hurtful that was.

10) Ok so you know this one is coming, and you have recently said sorry regards the Mirrors coverage on Copenhagen , so what happened, why the false coverage?

I was at the game, and it was complete carnage in the square – the worst violence I’ve ever seen at first hand. At one stage I had to run to avoid being caught up in it, as glass was smashing everywhere - a very scary experience. The Mirror did exactly the same with the story as ever other paper – and, as with the sports stories, I didn’t let my Arsenal allegiance get in the way. All the papers, not just the Mirror, slammed many Arsenal fans for behaving like hooligans and causing trouble, and it certainly seemed that way at the time. That was what the police in Denmark were telling everyone. The Club felt so too, which is why they banned 37 of them from the ground. Not because of anything the Mirror published, but because of their own photographic and video evidence. Later, as more facts emerged, it appeared that many of the Arsenal fans involved had been provoked and were defending themselves. And at that point, I realised that all the papers, the Mirror included, had probably jumped to a few wrong conclusions. I’ve since apologised for this, on several occasions publicly, and in private to some of the fans concerned. And those apologies were sincere. But to blame me personally for the bans is ridiculous – just ask the Club.

11) When you say ‘’At that point’’ does it show a disregard for consequence. As seen with some of the points with Levison, it seems the truism of today's headlines is tomorrows fish and chip paper, has been the case within the newspaper industry, rather than correcting mistakes that have been made, as it doesn't sit with a business interests to do so. I.e..it doesn’t sell papers.  Do you feel that because of that its fair to say sometimes and with this Copenhagen example there was a journalistic disregard for reporting or correcting errors. No matter what those consequences may have caused?

Daily newspapers have to work at ferocious pace, and occasionally mistakes are made. I think some of those Arsenal fans in Copenhagen were treated very unfairly, with hindsight, and the media have to accept some of the blame for that - including me, as the then editor of the Mirror.

12) Just this week you have been involved in a dispute with an NBC's Toure about journalistic propriety on the Trayvon Martin case. You told him no proper journalist pre-judged a person’s guilt. So why did the Daily Mirror do that to many Arsenal fans who were in Copenhagen in 2000 often with serious consequences for them?

I’ve answered this above. The photos and video that came out of Copenhagen were very damaging, and looked terrible. That was why so many fans got banned. The real story took a while to come out.

13) Why did it take so long to say sorry?

The facts of what happened took a long time to emerge – there was a lot of claim and counterclaim. The Danish police blamed Arsenal fans for a long time.

14) Are you saying the stories were written on the basis of what the Danish police had told the reporters?

Partly, yes. They were definitely steering the media to blame Arsenal fans.

15) Can you understand why so many are antagonistic towards you primarily due to this issue?

Yes. Of course. I should have stuck to the golden rule – never s*** on your own doorstep. If I had my time again, I would have handled it very differently. I think being caught up in it myself clouded my judgement. I don’t expect forgiveness, but I hope the fans involved now have a better understanding of what happened. And to those who were genuinely, innocently defending themselves and got banned, I’m truly sorry.

16) You live in the US now because of your job, do you ever come back and get to games, do you still have season tickets?

I go whenever I’m back in London , which is nowhere near as often as I’d like. But I watch every single game on TV in the States, as my Twitter feed confirms. They screen every game out here, home and away.

17) You and I had words recently via twitter when I challenged you over what I saw was flip flopping of your criticism of Arsene, we are an easy target from afar, how do you keep up to date with arsenal in the round being where you are.

Trust me, I don’t miss a ball passed, or a shot kicked, out here, ever. I plan my whole CNN schedule around games.

18) My last question is somewhat aimed at those that believe the coffers are full and the club make a lot of money. Which is not the case at all, the club barely breaks even past transfer dealings. So when explained to most, people start to see what an achievement Arsene has overseen while we have built a stadium and kept competitive. So I ask, given these fact is it not all too easy to criticise without looking at a fuller view?

It’s always easy to criticise, but that’s also the right of every fan – to express an opinion. It’s always been that way, and should always be that way in the future. When I go to games, everyone’s screaming advice, criticism etc to the players and manager – it’s part of the game, part of the fun. My issue with Wenger is that we haven’t won a trophy for 7 years, and I think his strategy of dumping all the Invincibles so fast and replacing them with kids, the best of whom – Fabregas etc - then left the moment they matured, was wrong. We went from being a big, tall, powerful team to a small, technically good but easily-intimidated team. And it didn’t work. That was Wenger’s decision.

19) Well the history of Arsenal as a club, has always been to dismantle teams to early, you can trace that back through the history of the club. You say its Wenger's decision, but that decision was based on a strategy to pay the bills, build a stadium and stay somewhat competitive. Wenger is a lightening rod for many for a club decision to stay competitive with his hands in his pockets.

I don't believe money has been the real issue. I think David Dein leaving has been a much bigger problem - without him, Arsene has been dithering in the transfer market and then panic buying. That's not how you win trophies, as we've seen.

20) Piers, there is no way that the Cesc scenario can be blamed on Arsene. It was somewhat a unique case, due to his history. Would you have said no to Cesc and kept a player who ultimately refused to play pre season for the club last summer?

Yes, I'd have made him stay as long as I could. You don't sell your best players unless you absolutely have to. Cesc left because he didn't think he'd win big trophies at Arsenal - it was a damning indictment of our transfer strategy.

21) Why do you so often feel the need to copy in Arsenal players to your tweets?

Why not? I’m an Arsenal fan, and they often reply. You guys would kill for a reply from Van Persie or Wilshere!

22) Not for me, many maybe, but don’t you see when you are a ‘’personality’’ and your followed by players and you go into ranting mode, they read these, and it chips away at their belief in the boss, especially when you change position.  I agree that you are entitled to a view, and no issue with that, but to be negative and copy in players into a tweet, doesn’t help the club as a fan.

This makes me laugh. Arsenal players get on fine with me, very well in fact. (Apart from Master Frimpong when he's had a late night.)They understand I'm a typical fan - when we play crap and lose, I'm furious. When we play great and win, I'm deliriously happy. You guys forget they hear what the fans shout at games when things aren't going well. The idea 'real fans' never criticise their team is complete nonsense. Check the Twitter feeds of my most vociferous Arsenal fan critics - they're always criticising too. Just total hypocrites. We all want the same thing - a successful Arsenal team.

23) When you edited the Mirror did you ever intervene with the Sports pages coverage of Arsenal (often it was very critical under your watch)?

No, as I said earlier, I never did.

24) Not sure if you are aware but The Arsenal Supporters’ Trust is concerned that Stan Kroenke has been to one Arsenal game at the Emirates since buying the club a year ago, what is your stateside view impression of either Kroenke and American owners of Premier League teams?

Kroenke has a good reputation in America , as a businessman and a sports owner. I don’t think he’s been the problem. I genuinely think Wenger’s transfer strategy has been flawed. He’s missed David Dein enormously.

25) So would you like an owner like Abramovich or Mansour?

I'm not against foreign ownership - the Glazers have done a good job at United. But you need a manager strong enough to drive through what he really wants, as Sir Alex has.  I'm not sure Wenger's done that in the last few seasons. Maybe he will now. I hope so. Still love the guy personally, and would like nothing more than for him to prove me wrong and win trophies again. But let's be honest, if Fergie went 7yrs with no trophies at United, he'd be gone. We'll see how this season plays out, but the recovery has been amazing after a terrible first few months. If Arsene can keep Van Persie, buy 2/3 top class players like Podolski, Wilshere stays fit once he's back, and we get rid of dead wood like Chamakh and Park, then we could win things again. I like the new spirit in the team.

26) Have you ever interviewed Arsene and when did you last meet him?

I’ve met him a few times, and he’s always been a totally charming, intelligent, amusing and honest man. I love him personally, he’s a great guy. And he’s been one of our greatest ever managers. I just don’t agree with his strategy for the last 7 years – mainly because it’s been so different to the one that won him two Doubles.

27) Who would you rather have as a guest on Life Stories, Alex Ferguson or Arsene Wenger?

Ferguson – I would give him a harder time!

28) As a former national newspaper editor, how do you see existing standards of football coverage in the newspapers? What innovation would you like to see, that you possibly see currently in the USA.

I think we lead the way in covering football, I really do. British newspaper coverage of the sport is insanely good. Great reporting, great analysis, great scoops. Fans always get annoyed at negative stories, but there are plenty of positive ones too. Usually depends how the team’s doing!

29) Given your profile on CNN and your 2m followers on Twitter, do they not get somewhat perplexed on your constant Arsenal and Shugs conversations?

Yes, they think he’s something you put in a mug of tea.

PLEASE NOTE: Any reproduction of this interview, whether that be online or print, must be credited to both the interviewer @DarrenArsenal1 and the host www.arsenalvision.co.uk. We appreciate the courtesy in advance.

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Comments (33)

• 12-Apr-2012 17:18 | | Garry spence  - Well done
  

  Well done on a great interview. Agree and disagree with Piers but that's what is expected. Everyone to their own opinion.

• 12-Apr-2012 17:22 | | vishal
  

  

• 12-Apr-2012 17:31 | | Benny B
  

  Oh dear, I think the reality tv generation has finally caught up with football. A man who's opinion is only important because he so happens to be famous is worthy of a interview in two blogs? I don't think so..
  
  That's without mentioning the insipid questions- Morgan had 15 years to figure out his Copenhagen excuses, so I would have hoped for some more challenging follow up questions (hardly a QC standard).
  
  Oh well, at least I haven't found myself liking Morgan. His opinions on us running our club like Man Utd are dangerous, just ask someone like David Conn, and that is without their commercial potential.

• 12-Apr-2012 17:31 | | Bosun
  

  Thank you for this Darren. I've been waiting for someone to do this. Piers is like every arsenal fan, wants the team to do well and move forward but is frustrated by what is doing the same thing over and over and failing. Only difference is he's more vocal but most fans spit more venom than him and that's the truth. I don't agree with copying the players to all of his tweets but he's bang on about it being the same with the praise/venom sent towards the players at the stadium. Maybe everyone can shut it now and let Piers be. We're all after the same thing

• 12-Apr-2012 17:37 | | Muppet
  

  Ultimately, Piers Morgan is talking rubbish.
  
  His analysis of our failure of our 7 year trophy-less period is fundamentally flawed. We have actually done better in the 7 year trophy-less period in the champions league than before that. The invincibles were not "dismantled". Players naturally moved on and we then brought in technically more adept players because Wenger saw the writing on the wall in terms of our ability to cope with the passing game of continental teams.
  
  Piers Morgan also makes no allowances for Abramovich and the resources afforded to teams like Chelsea and City. Wenger has pursued a quite brilliant strategy of rebuilding the stadium and building a long term future on a shoe string, for which he should be given much more credit.
  
  For someone with such a high journalistic profile to come out with such a shallow analysis, in terms of both football and business, is quite incredible.

• 12-Apr-2012 17:54 | | Clockenddon  - Piers Morgan should chill the £$@k out
  

  Piers morgan should just chill out a bit, just because you own a few Arsenal shares and players respond to your tweets does not give you the right to be the self styled voice of the Arsenal fan. Quite frankly some of us dont care what he thinks and would prefer to come up with our conclusions concerning Arsenal.
  Stop spraying your opinions mate, take a chill pill and relax, you know nothing really in depth about football similar to the average fan(me included) Arsene Wenger has forgotten more than most of us will ever know so Piers please give it a break mate.!!!

• 12-Apr-2012 17:57 | | Toby  - "Lead the way in covering football"
  

  "I think we lead the way in covering football, I really do. British newspaper coverage of the sport is insanely good. Great reporting, great analysis, great scoops."
  I'm sorry but I have to disagree, anyway when it comes too newspapers.
  I follow PL a lot thru internet and I personally see most of the articles are there to winf people up. They are only trying to get reactions, one way or the other. They want as much comments as possible posted!
  They are not analyzing any games, they slaughter some players/managers and hail some others, just for stiring things up!

• 12-Apr-2012 18:04 | | Critic  - Piers is a moron.
  

  He can own 10000 shares if he like, doesn't change the fact that he is a moron.
  
  May be he is a tottenham fan in disguise.

• 12-Apr-2012 18:05 | | Sue  - Copenhagen
  

  Will never ever forgive him for the Copenhagen fiasco, the bad press coverage cost people their jobs, homes and got them a ban from The Arsenal. He could have gone to The Arsenal and said I'm sorry but I think there's been a cock up here
  
  I was there and see Turkish fans run through the square with machete's and all different sizes of knives etc. They were out for more English blood.
  I guess I was one of the lucky ones, a kind Arsenal bloke picked me up and threw me inside a shop doorway and told me to stay put. Never did find out who he was, I got separated from my friends and was alone until I reached the stadium.
  Yes, the Danish police blamed The Arsenal fans for a hell of a long time but he did nothing as an editor of an established tabloid to help resolve the situation. And for that he stinks!!!!

• 12-Apr-2012 18:30 | | Barath Kumar
  

  Great read guys!
  But Morgan has to admit his mistakes one day!
  

• 12-Apr-2012 18:49 | | gerald  - piers
  

  One question you never asked was what Piers thinks about the current form of the team and what its weaknesses are in his opinion. This was a very important question to ask am surprised you did not ask.

• 12-Apr-2012 19:11 | | Tony
  

  Why is this interview worth posting...............couldn't get beyond the response to q1?!?

• 12-Apr-2012 19:33 | | Anonymous  - Muppet- You Muppet !!!
  

  "We have actually done better in the 7 year trophy-less period in the champions league than before that." seriously. still no silverware though. Are you not getting the point???? Clearly not. Clearly you believe in second best (even fourth best will do). I don't expect us to win something every season but I expect us to compete but we've been found wanting come the second half of the past few seasons. Woo Hoo that we achieved a quarter final here and a semi final there in the CL. That may well float your boat but not mine.

• 12-Apr-2012 19:45 | | RayVerschoyle  - Not sure this was wise
  

  Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but owning shares and been a season ticket holder does not exclusively increase ones right to that opinion particularly when that person has in the past and continues to this day damage the club by their particular brand of support. One does need to bare in mind their standing in the public eye before they voice their opinions. To compare what they say with what is said on the terraces on a Saturday is ridiculous especially coming from one with a greater understanding of the media than perhaps any of us. It was an interesting project for Darren to undertake and congratulations to him for going through with it. My end thoughts on it I still respect Darren and detest Mr. Morgan
  Well done Darren

• 12-Apr-2012 20:22 | | anthony payne
  

  The emergence of Man City and Chelski's money is immaterial to our form. Sir Alex has seen off both these sides in recent years. Our problems run far deeper than that.
  Firstly our sponsorship deal still has a few years to run. Secondly we have players like Almunia, Diaby, Denilson and Bendtner that are reputedly earning more with us than Luka Modric currently earns at Spurs. This is why we have struggled to sell the likes of the latter two and have had to send them out on loan.
  Secondly City and Chelsea can only field 11 players at any given time.Which means they can't buy everyone. Eg how cheesed off must Edin Djzeko feel at City at the moment: and let's not forget that the likes of Adebayor and Santa Cruz are still on their wage bill (apparently City pay approx £100k of Ade's weekly wage at Tottenham). City will struggle to get them off their wage bill.
  The fact is that we don't even need a complete overhaul. Last season we might have won the league if we had bought another DM and CB when we had the opportunity in the January window. LIkewise,we should have bought a striker and goalkeeper the previous season. Look at the points Almunia cost us during the business end of the season at Spurs and Birmingham. At the very worst we could have taken David James on loan from skint Pompey. Sure he makes mistakes every now and then but would have led from the back. Obviously with the emergence of Szezney ( who is living up to the potential he showed while on loan at Brentford) and Koshielny our defensive issues are now being addressed.
  I still think Wenger is the right man for the job and our recent performances against City, Milan (2nd Leg) and City would have made the Hazards and M Villa's aware that we are still a great ambitious premiership club to come to join. However challenging 3rd place is the least we should have expected before the season began.
  
  Regarding Piers,as an Arsenal fan he is as entitled to say what he wants within reason. We may not always agree with it. But at the end of the day he's an Arsenal fan and we all have different opinions.

• 12-Apr-2012 20:39 | | Emmy  - Think twice
  

  When you're wrong and you admit it that you are and say sorry,you're done and that is what Morgan has done concerning Copenhagen situation. Actually danish police were nt sincere with their report. The photo and video evidence report were clearly misinterpreted and I think we should forgive him for this. Piers talks alot about Arsene and the players but in a real sense,Arsene should be expecting to be criticizd by fans who want success. Am thirsty and hungry for Arsenal success both in England and in Europe in general. People don't respect us anymore and it's time for Wenger to twist his phlosophy and bring success to Arsenal. Am tired of we are almost there without getting there. Don't want panic buy this time. Up gunners!!!

• 12-Apr-2012 21:06 | | Mark the KiwiGooner  - Leave off
  

  Nice work Darren - Piers is an absolute legend! He is a true Arsenal fan, he speaks from the heart. His opinion on Wenger over the past seven years is spot on!! Wenger has lied to us fans and been too tentative in the transfer market. He seems to have finally woken up, if the stories on eminent transfers are to be believed. It's very easy to take pot shots at people in the media for having an opinion. I have always thought Piers has attacked from a constructive view point. He is right when he says that we have sold our best players and that Wenger panicked at the close of the last transfer window (thank God for Arteta). I for one enjoy the likes of Myles Palmer and Piers and the ablilty to think and not just be lemmings. Keep up the good work Darren, Arsene and Piers.

• 12-Apr-2012 21:11 | | michel  - Talking to Piers, what a waste
  

  this guy is just a machine to say for the sake of talking, why the hell you waste your time with a guy who spends arguing with Arseal players and place bets against former players, he is just a waste better be in US anyway!!

• 12-Apr-2012 21:18 | | kingsley  - peeps need to start reasoning
  

  I think people have got piers on the wrong. Everybody is entitled to their opinion and the copenhagen scenario should not be a basis for criticism. People only love to look behind at what has happened, For Gods sake the man has apologised what more do these morons want?

• 12-Apr-2012 21:57 | | MistaKen
  

  Tabloid journalists. Their fist priority is to sell the paper. Almost everything they say will be exaggerated. Though I must admit I was shouting for Wenger's head when we were losing so many matches. Please don't make me so angry next season Mr Wenger and really make a push for the PL.

• 13-Apr-2012 00:13 | | luc  - piers is a fool
  

  he is complaining about a 7 yr drought an the fact we gt rid of our invincibles, firstly we bought a stadium an looked to pay it correctly an so wages needed cutting so we flung players wel they wer still wrth money an concentrated on youth which is the way forward as barca hav proved an in doin this its a lot mre cost effective, an the fact he believes weshould do it like the mancs is just plain delusion as the mancs wer spending 30mil on players before they sold out to the yanks an frm what im seeing these days is a very weak man utd tht in the past would just go out an blow 30mil on the problem an now its very different an u can now see tht fergie isnt finding it easy why do u thnk rooney was questioning the clubs ambition an was lkn to leave as he knws the money is drying up due to the rediculous debt tht is unstainable for a club getting abused in european cups an to b fair they literally gt the fa in there hands hence ther league position but thts anotha story, oh an on the fabregas scenario 1 word ronaldo,,,, peace real gunners fans an neva forget we hav the greatest manager on the planet the rest is just media propaganda wenger does this on a shoe string an soon we will run this issshhhhh

• 13-Apr-2012 01:30 | | Gunner Galactico  - Are you a supporter?
  

  I believe it was Piers' favourite player Dennis Bergkamp who made the statement "I like Arsenal. Do you like Arsenal? or Do you only like Arsenal with trophies?". I agree that Piers is entitled to his own opinion, as is everybody else but when you heavily criticise the club it just makes you seem unloyal as you aren't supporting the cause. Constructive criticism is fine but real anger is bad, negative & something we as a club do not need. I know we use the word 'fan' but personally, I prefer the word 'supporter'. When the club is going through hard times you shouldn't be joining in with the Media shouts of 'crisis' & 'trophy drought' just keep supporting, no matter what! I'm only 18 but my father has been an Arsenal fan for CENTURIES, he's seen the transition from when we were a long ball side like every other team & we were nowhere as successful as we are now. Please appreciate what Arsene has done for us. I know many people who are only Arsenal fans because of the style of play, the players, the success we've had or they just think we'll be the best team in the future because of the foundations Arsene has set. But even if we lost our style of play & were relegated to the Championship... I'd still be as passionate as I am for this club. I'm not sure if 90% of the people who criticise the club could say the same. We are supporters, we're not paying money for instant trophies. We are paying for the experience. If you can't take 10 years of your club being trophyless then you're just a glory hunter. We are lucky we've experienced/lived to see things like Doubles & the Invincibles in our lifetime. Fans of teams like Fulham/Everton are just content with staying competitive in the Premier League, why? Because its about the experience not trophies. Even Man City fans, before the money came in they were supporting the club even when in the lower leagues! 33 years without a trophy & were still supporting. I'm not sure some of you fans could live with that. Its almost like these fans have a mindset like this "Win trophies or I'll support another team" and don't say I'm wrong because I know plenty of people that have stopped supporting because of the last 7 years. If you're one of those "fans" I suggest you support a club like Manchester United where they have no class & receive Ref help to guarantee they clinch titles. Piers did get one thing right though "We all want the same thing and that's success for the club."
  
  Thanks for reading.
  
  If you want to debate or have discussions on Twitter follow me @GunnerGalactico !

• 13-Apr-2012 02:37 | | Spectrum
  

  Critic@18;04 - Piers owns shares in Arsenal, been a fan for 40 years, and a season ticket holder for 20 years, but even all that doesn' t give him a right to speak his mind ? In fact, you have the temerity and absolute stupidity to claim he could be a "Tottenham fan in disguise".
  
  Typical inane statement that we come to expect from an A.K.B.

• 13-Apr-2012 03:04 | | Spectrum
  

  Refreshing to see some honesty coming from this site via the Piers Morgan interview. Interesting that Piers makes very similar points to mine, and other realists. I admire the way he stuck to his principles, despite the attempt at leading questions from the interviewer regarding the transfers, debt, and Wenger's strategy and methods e.t.c.
  
  He rightfully points out that we could and should be doing better, and though he "loves Wenger personally " nevertheless disagrees with many of his actions. That's objectivity for you, and is healthy in a democracy . And this was a telling comment of his which sums it all up ; " The idea 'real fans' never criticise their team is complete nonsense".

• 13-Apr-2012 07:51 | | TP
  

  I don't doubt his commitment to the club at all but still think he's a tit (not so much for the Arsenal stuff as for the Iraq photos, from reading his diaries, etc)

• 13-Apr-2012 09:18 | | jcav90
  

  What's the point in owning four season tickets if you can't go to any of the games? All you're doing is depriving other people of the opportunity to go and ensuring that they're four empty seats instead of fans to cheer on the team.
  
  Piers Morgan, about as much use as a non-existent black bin-liner.

• 13-Apr-2012 09:41 | | Jekyll
  

  Morgain doesn't come across too badly here at all, he seems to have a fairly balanced view of Wenger, acknowledging the great things whilst still being critical, which is a much more balanced and realistic view than, say, Muppet in the comments above, for whom Wenger can do no wrong and whose every action is spun into an act of genius.

• 13-Apr-2012 10:29 | | b0sH  - Perspective
  

  All for Piers to have his opinion and express it.
  
  I think my biggest issue is failing to realise this is no longer an even playing field. Arsenal built their model before Abramovich and Mansour entered the playing field.
  
  All things being equal, Arsenal would be competing with United and probably no other.
  
  So not winning trophies when having to compete with teams who are essentially financially cheating while also competing on all 4 fronts every year doesn't bother me so much.
  
  I would prefer a stable club built for the future of the game, rather than a flash in the pan injection of money that provides short term success (see Chelsea). The long burning coal fire rather than just pour some petrol on a match.

• 13-Apr-2012 13:47 | | dkgooner  - Are Barca a tall team?
  

  Barcelona are probably the best and most successful team of the last 7 years. Yet they could hardly be called a tall team - they are small and technically excellent. So what's this obsession with height and weight?
  Everyone has their own argument about why we haven't won anything the last 7/8 years but this one is a bit of a joke.

• 13-Apr-2012 21:33 | | dave
  

  Thanks- Great interview

• 14-Apr-2012 10:58 | | guitougoal  - Pierce Bosnan is full of himself
  

  What a genius?He says "I love the guy" He loves Arsene so much , he keeps undermining his ability to manage which is typical of constructive hypocrisy. Reference to Fergie confirm this analysis.
  "Seven Years without a trophy" that's another typical narrow minded fan's attitude: the Trophy syndrome. If you value your club only this artificial way you better join city's or chelsea's frenzy shoppers bandwagon. Did he learn something from his dad who is a long time Spurs fan? obviously not.

• 16-Apr-2012 07:04 | | Huiru Wam  - Pier Morgan is a phony
  

  He bragged endlessly about his 4 season tickets and being a fan for 40 years. Does he know the true meaning of being a supporter?
  
  Our whole family have more that 10 season-tickets since 1970's. I only stop going to the live games since I moved to the United States 2 years ago, and I let my son-in-law have my ticket instead. All I am saying is that season ticket does not make me better supporter or person than the non season ticket holder.
  
  This phony is just a glory hunter.

• 06-Jul-2012 14:38 | | randomman  - piers morgan's shares
  

  piers morgan should sell his shares to usamanov so he can take over.

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