WENGER URGES ARSENAL FANS: BE MORE LIKE SPURS
Gunners manager pleads with supporters to stop in-fighting and get behind his team like they do at their top-four rivals
ARSENE WENGER wants Arsenal fans to be more like the supporters of bitter rivals Tottenham – and get fully behind their team.
The Emirates boss is concerned that the in-fighting between Gunners fans is having a potentially damaging effect on their run-in ahead of the biggest week of the season.
He believes it is crucial that the supporters stick together like their top-four rivals Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City and Spurs under Mauricio Pochettino (right).
The Frenchman said: “Our fans have been consistent and have a high level of expectation, as I have as well. But I don’t feel it is absolutely clear.
“You can’t be a fan until last Tuesday and not be a fan anymore, not be behind the team this Saturday, it doesn’t make sense.
“All the other clubs, everywhere we fight with Man United, Man City, Liverpool, they have big expectations as well and big histories.
“We are in a fight there, we absolutely have to be united or we have no chance to do it. You have Spurs, everyone is in the fight and everyone is behind their team. We have to do exactly the same, even if we had two disappointing results.”
Wenger has taken the brunt of the fan revolt with banners unfurled on a regular basis calling for him to go, while supporters have had fights among themselves before venting their spleen on Arsenal Fan TV and radio phone-ins.
It has led to a toxic atmosphere which Wenger believes could impact upon performances as they face a huge league game at home to Hull tomorrow and then travel to Bayern Munich on Wednesday in the Champions League.
The mood has changed quickly from one of optimism after a bright start to the season into meltdown after defeats to Watford and then Chelsea left the Gunners 12 points behind in the title race.
It has become the annual chase for the top four, growing doubts about Wenger’s future and after 20 years at the club he has become philosophical about how quickly things can change. Wenger added: “I am long enough in the job that you go from hero to zero in one minute. I am the same person and analyse things the same.
“We have a big fight in the Premier League, a big fight in the Champions League and we still have the FA Cup as well.
“We want to do well in all three competitions and that’s why it’s important that we focus, respond and get our fans behind the team. It is a sensitive part of the season – we must respond to disappointment together.”