Wenger faces fury as Arsenal lose
Besieged Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger faced fury from supporters and mounting exasperation from pundits following his side’s latest capitulation against Crystal Palace.
Arsenal’s players were branded “cowards” after Monday’s 3-0 loss at Selhurst Park, which left them seven points off the Champions League places in sixth place.
With Wenger refusing to address the subject of his future, the atmosphere around the club has become increasingly toxic.
Supporters hurled abuse at their own players during the defeat at Palace, while there were chants of: “We want Wenger out!”
In one second-half flashpoint, a group of Arsenal fans refused to return the ball to Hector Bellerin at a throw-in before chanting: “You’re not fit to wear the shirt!” The full-time whistle drew the now familiar displaying of “WENGER OUT” posters and banners by Arsenal’s fans.
Wenger and his squad were barracked as they boarded the team bus after the match and supporters on social media struggled to articulate their frustrations.
Theo Walcott, Arsenal’s captain on the night, apologised for “letting the fans down”.
Despite the rising crescendo of discontent, British media reports suggest Wenger, Arsenal’s manager since 1996, will accept the offer of a new contract from the club’s board.
The Frenchman once again batted away questions about his future after the game, saying he was “not in the mood” to discuss it. But the impact of the uncertainty about his position on the team is becoming increasingly impossible to ignore, despite his claims it has had no effect.
Arsenal have lost five of their last eight Premier League games and have been beaten in four successive away games for the first time in Wenger’s tenure. It leaves them facing the prospect of failing to qualify for the Champions League for the first time since 1997. They were eliminated from this season’s competition following a humiliating 10-2 aggregate loss to Bayern Munich in the last 16.
Barcelona star Ney mar will miss the Clasico after receiving a three-match ban fol lowing his red card against Mal aga, dealing a big blow to the Catalans who lie three points behind Real Madrid having played a game more than their rivals.
The Brazilian forward was dismissed for two yellow cards against the Andalusians on Sat urday, earning an automatic one match suspension, but his punishment was increased because he sarcastically applauded the fourth official as he walked down the tunnel.
Referee Jesus Gil Manzano noted the incident in his report The three-match suspension rules him out of the game against Real Sociedad on Apri 15, the Clasico against Rea Madrid on April 23 and Barce lona’s home game against Osa suna on April 26.