SHUNNED GUNS CAN WIN BACK TRUST OF FANS
Wenger: Results will get the supporters to return
ARSENE WENGER is hoping Arsenal’s stay-away fans blink first tonight in the Emirates’ battle of wills.
The defiant Frenchman is leading yet another revival in form, in response to suggestions he should stand down. Gunners fans, who think he should leave, have boycotted the club’s last two home games – against Manchester City and Watford – with thousands of seats left empty. Many supporters have insisted they will not return while Wenger remains in charge of the club. But the 68-year-old believes both he and his players can still win the crowd back with victories and silverware – starting with a positive display tonight to see off AC Milan and reach the Europa League quarter-finals. Attempting to explain the absentees for last weekend’s 3-0 win over Watford, the Arsenal boss said: “The kick-off was early on a Sunday, I don’t know the explanation. We acknowledge everything. I feel that, for 22 years, I have played in front of a sold-out stadium and I am grateful.
“And, if there are one or two games where the stadium is not completely full, we have to look at ourselves and get the fans behind us again.
“This club is massive and the support is huge. It is just down to our performances.”
Wenger masterminded an impressive 2-0 win in Milan last Thursday evening to make the Gunners red-hot favourites for the quarter-finals. The Londoners followed that up with a convincing Premier League win over Watford.
“Consistency is a sign of quality,” added Wenger. “That is the most important quality for me. But, when you have a negative spiral, sometimes it is difficult to get out.
“That’s why it was important for us to turn the corner – especially when you have big games in one week, three games in one week.
“If you lose the first one you have more chances to lose the next one. It was important to get out of that.”
Wenger believes the club’s improved form has helped Jack Wilshere to win a return to Gareth Southgate’s England squad.
But he admitted Wilshere – out of contract this summer – could leave the club after the 26-year-old refused to take a pay-cut in his £110,000 wages to sign a new deal. Wilshere, initially positive over his prospects of staying, suggested the situation had changed last week.
But Wenger said: “On my side, nothing has changed. Jack will be free at the end of the season.
“We made a proposal to him, I want him to stay and my desire is to see him linked to the club for the future. I hope he will do it.”
Wenger refuses to panic over another contract rebel, Aaron Ramsey, who has a year left on his deal.
The French coach added: “No, we want to sort it out. We want the players to stay at this club.”