Yeah, but didn't he say that previously about Oliver and Felicity's relationship as well? I really don't think that's anything to be concerned about, honestly. All he's saying is that fans don't dictate their story choices - he hammered it home by saying that those fans aren't going to be too happy with him for a bit, so...IMO he's not saying anything he hasn't said before. They're doing what they think is right for the story and aren't being influenced by or "pandering" to the ship. Then he's like, 'See what I'm saying? We're about to really piss them off!'