Jonas Eidevall accepts increase of women’s fans raises player welfare challenges

Manchester City last season trialled “Autograph Alley”, a dedicated meet-and-greet where a smaller group of supporters enjoy meeting players.

Arsenal manager Jonas Eidevall admits growing support means it has become more difficult to balance player-fan interactions (Bradley Collyer/PA) (PA Wire)

Arsenal boss Jonas Eidevall has admitted it is increasingly difficult to balance player welfare with a growing fanbase seeking out selfies and autographs.

On Wednesday, the Gunners’ Women’s Super League rivals Chelsea announced a policy change after determining “it is no longer safe or sustainable for the players to sign autographs or have selfie photos taken with fans in an uncontrolled way”.

Instead, the WSL title-holders will be staging “organised opportunities” for meet-and-greets throughout the season, in an effort they say was also designed with spectator safety in mind.

Asked if Arsenal were considering a similar policy shift, Eidevall replied: “It’s always difficult when you speak about what other clubs do, because you never know the full context.

“I do think the supporters play such an important role in the growth of women’s football and the connection that the supporters feel to the players and to the teams is obviously really important.

“Our supporters are such a massive part of the journey that we’re doing as a team, and of course we want to find ways to repay that.

“I think from Arsenal’s perspective, we have always been on the forefront (in terms of) providing security and (making sure) we have a safe environment for our players, staff and supporters.

“That’s the priority. And then, of course, it’s a scalable problem where the time in some way needs to work out with a lot of people who want a little bit of that time.

“I think, we will, obviously as a club take our decisions, but we will always try and do that with the connection to our supporters absolutely in the front of our mind, together with the safety of our players and staff.”

Chelsea are not alone in trying to innovate when it comes to balancing personal interactions with players  – long a hallmark of the women’s game – with what over the last few seasons has been a rapid growth in attendance at a number of top WSL clubs.

Manchester City last season trialled “Autograph Alley”, a dedicated meet-and-greet point where a smaller group of randomly-selected supporters enjoy post-match encounters with players.

England defender Esme Morgan, who moved to National Women’s Soccer League side Washington Spirit in June, was among the City players who praised the system, saying it was “a lot nicer for us actually because it’s a much calmer situation and atmosphere.”

While they remain an exception, there were nevertheless several instances of players across the WSL who found themselves subjected to social media criticism and accusations of hurting fans after they were unable to stop for every supporter.

City intend to keep Autograph Alley going this season after the system was deemed a success.

Arsenal, who failed  to advance from the Champions League qualifying stage last season, secured a dominant 6-0 victory over Rangers on Wednesday, and victory over Rosenborg on Saturday night will secure them a place in qualifying round two.

Eidevall added: “The Champions League should be tough games, it should be tough challenges, and that’s why we want to play in the Champions League.

“We want to play against the best, and if we focus on our performance, and if we can do well again, then we have a great chance of progressing.”