Arsenal fans hold up banners calling for "Wenger Out", referring to
Arsenal's French manager Arsene Wenger, during the English Premier
League football match between Arsenal and Norwich at the Emirates
Stadium in London on April 30, 2016. PHOTO|AFP
Arsenal’s
long-serving manager Arsene Wenger acknowledged the grievances of fans
who protested against him during the north London club’s 1-0 Premier
League win over Norwich City on Saturday.
In
a pre-planned protest, a smattering of fans held up A4 posters bearing
the words “TIME FOR CHANGE” in the 12th and 78th minutes of the game at
the Emirates Stadium, in a nod to Arsenal’s 12-year league title
drought.
But
in response thousands of supporters chanted “There’s only one Arsene
Wenger!”, with some holding aloft placards in support of the under-fire
Frenchman.
“We
respect the opinion of everybody and we give absolutely the best,”
Wenger told Sky Sports after the game, in which substitute Danny Welbeck
scored a 59th-minute winner.
“I
think I have shown my commitment and care for this club, and for the
fans. I’m really sorry if I cannot make them all happy, of course. We’ll
continue to work hard to achieve it.”
There were also reports of pro-Wenger and anti-Wenger factions being separated by stadium stewards.
With
Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool all toiling and Manchester
City inconsistent, this season was seen as a prime opportunity for
Arsenal to end their wait for the Premier League title.
But
instead they have been left behind by champions-elect Leicester City
and now find themselves in a familiar battle to secure a top-four finish
and a Champions League place.
Speaking
before Saturday’s game, Wenger said: “I can understand the frustration
of our fans. But despite that, they want to support our team. The best
chance they can give our team is to be behind them.
“Some
groups of people try to manipulate our fans and I believe apart from an
agenda, a personal agenda, a big ego, there’s not a lot behind it.”
Wenger,
66, became Arsenal manager in 1996 and led the club to three Premier
League titles and four FA Cups in his first nine years at the helm.
But
they have only back-to-back FA Cup wins in 2014 and 2015 to show for
their efforts since then and have gone out of the Champions League in
the last 16 for the past six seasons running.
Wenger
believes he retains the support of the majority for Arsenal supporters
following a day of protest at the Emirates Stadium.
A
pre-arranged demonstration saw a number of fans hold up signs saying
“time for change” during the 12th minute of Arsenal’s narrow, 1-0 home
victory over relegation-threatened Norwich City on Saturday.
The
timing of the protest was reference to the fact that it is 12 years
since Arsenal last won the Premier League title -- too long a gap in the
eyes of many of the north London club’s supporters, for all the Gunners
have consistently finished in the top four in the intervening period.
But
the cries criticising the Arsenal manager were drowned out by
expressions of support, with other fans chanting “there’s only one
Arsene Wenger”.
“It
was a strange atmosphere but we have to live with that and overall the
fans, some were protesting yes, but the big majority didn’t and the big
majority was behind the team and they showed they appreciate what I have
done until now,” said Wenger, Arsenal’s manager since September 1996.
“I
heard them (the chants of support) but I was focused on the game, my
job is to win football games so once the game starts I focus on that.
You can do both. I acknowledged the crowd.”
‘Disappointed love’
The
66-year-old Frenchman continued: “I am a professional that has given 20
years to this club and have given my best for this club and have to
accept the judgement of people.
“The
only thing I don’t doubt is my sincere commitment to this club. I am
sorry that I cannot keep 100 percent happy but maybe that is because we
have been remarkably consistent.
“This
season is a bit special as well,” he added of a campaign where
Leicester, once 5,000/1 rank outsiders, are on the verge of being
crowned champions.
“We
were in a position for a long time where our fans believed we could win
the league. We didn’t and that is why it is more disappointed love than
aggression and we have to accept that.”
Danny
Welbeck’s 59th-minute goal ensured a difficult afternoon ended on a
positive note for Wenger and his players, although Alexis Sanchez’s
reaction when substituted suggested the Chile striker was unhappy at
being withdrawn.
Sanchez
went straight down the tunnel after being replaced late on and Wenger
said: “My job is to make decision and to make people 100 percent happy
there as well is very difficult.”
Victory moved Arsenal eight points clear of fifth position and strengthened their bid to secure a Champions League place.
“It
was a much-wanted win, and needed and difficult,” said Wenger. “We
played against a team very well-organised and didn’t find a good pace in
our game.
“But we were serious and organised and in the end we got the win.”
Defeat
left Norwich second bottom and in a three-way fight with Sunderland and
Newcastle United to avoid going down with already-relegated Aston
Villa.
“The
difference is just one game,” said Norwich manager Alex Neil. “If
Sunderland lose or draw and we win, we will go above them. But we know
we need to pick up points between now and the end of the season.
“The last thing you can do down in the dogfight is feel sorry for yourselves. (AFP)
