Football
Mattias Karen, Arsenal correspondent 8y

Arsene Wenger says most fans showed appreciation for his Arsenal tenure

LONDON -- Arsene Wenger said the show of support from fans at the Emirates on Saturday proved that a majority of supporters still appreciate what he has done for the club.

A planned protest staged by two major fan groups during the 1-0 win over Norwich failed to garner much support as only a few hundred supporters held up "Time for change" signs in the 12th minute of the game -- to mark the club's 12-year Premier League title drought.

Instead, loud chants of "There's only one Arsene Wenger" and "We love the Arsenal" broke out around the Emirates.

"It was a bit of a strange atmosphere," Wenger said. "But we have to live with that. And overall, the fans, some were protesting, yes. But a big majority didn't. And the big majority was behind the team. And as well they've shown that they appreciate what I've done until now.

"So it was all right. But it was a difficult atmosphere yes, but we have to just live with that and give more and focus on our performance. And try to get 100 percent of our fans happy, that is our target."

Wenger acknowledged the chants from the crowd during the game but said they didn't make him emotional.

"No, 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. You can appreciate, and focus on the game," he said.

The win strengthened Arsenal's grip on a Champions League place for a 20th straight year under Wenger. But some fans remain unhappy after seeing the Gunners' implode over the second half of the season.

Arsenal were top of the league in January but now have no chance of catching leaders Leicester and look likely to finish behind Tottenham for the first time during Wenger's reign.

The Frenchman had said on Friday he believed the fan anger was being fueled by small groups of people with "a personal agenda" and there was certainly no signs of a mass mutiny on Saturday. But when asked if that vindicated his statement, the Frenchman said "I don't know."

"I'm a professional who has given 19 years to this club and tries to give my best for the club. And I have to accept the judgment of people," he said.

"The only thing I don't doubt is my commitment, and my sincere commitment to the club. After that I am sorry if I cannot keep 100 percent happy. But maybe as well it is because we have been remarkably consistent.

"But this season is a bit special because we were in a position for a long time where our fans believed we can win the league. And we didn't.

"So I think it is more disappointed love than real aggression. And you have to accept that, because we are a bit in the same situation."

The only downside to the game was that star forward Alexis Sanchez showed his displeasure with Wenger's decision to take him off in the 84th minute -- storming angrily down the tunnel straight away.

Wenger acknowledged that Sanchez wasn't happy but that the Chilean is the kind of player who wants to be on the pitch for every minute.

"My job is to make decisions. There again, to get 100 percent [of people] happy is very difficult," he said.

^ Back to Top ^