NO WONDER FANS ARE CHEESED OFF

ON THE pitch, some welcome cause for optimism at Arsenal, who are back in the top four for the first time in 14 months. Off it? Not so much. This week, scandal is back at the club. No, forget Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and the farce that seems to envelop any player handed the Arsenal armband. This is far more serious and should alarm any supporter who has the temerity to want some grub. At the Emirates, one fan recently perused the menu and chairs gave way across the land. Fancy a double bacon cheeseburger? That’ll be £14.30, please. Oh, chips as well? Make that £18.05 then. A typo surely? Some sort of clerical error? Alas, the poor fan posted a picture of the menu — as well as their half-time snack. And there it sat in all its glory. Resplendent in a gourmet card platter, a burger, with two slices of cheese, a bit of bacon and a slice of tomato. The chips looked half decent, in fairness. You’d hope so for an additional £3.75. Well, up go the howls, isn’t this just typical of modern football? Given how fans across the land are fleeced by sky-high ticket prices and pie-in-thesky Super League dreams, should we be surprised that clubs aren’t price matching Poundland? Perhaps not. It’s true, too, that the Emirates has never been known for its bargain deals. Before we lather ourselves in doom and gloom, though, some caveats. First, as some Gooners argued, cheaper options are available in north London. This is the menu for the posh seats, one cried. Oh that’s all right then. More importantly, let’s not despair for half-time snacks nationwide. Dedicated Twitter account Footy Scran this week reminded us of some more palatable options: Lebanese chicken flatbread at Barnsley (£5), pigs in blankets at Oxford City (£3.50). And for those traditionalists? Altrincham’s pie, chips, peas and gravy will cost you a fiver.