LABOUR OF LOVE
Arsene’s battle to win back affection of fans
ARSENE WENGER spoke of his love affair with Arsenal yesterday – but he faces a huge challenge winning back fed-up fans screaming for a divorce.
The Gunners boss will be under huge pressure from the first day of the 2017-18 season, from restless natives who wanted him to be shown the door at the Emirates.
Wenger claims the number of ‘Wexit’ campaigners attending Arsenal matches is just one per cent.
That estimate, prior to beating Chelsea 2-1 on Saturday to land a record seventh FA Cup, was surely on the conservative side.
At least the manner of the victory and ‘the magic of the Cup’ provided a perfect backdrop for the club to announce yesterday that Wenger is staying on for another two years.
His treatment by the angry and loud-mouthed few has, at times, been nothing short of appalling for a manager who has won 10 trophies.
Banners calling for him to go have trailed behind planes over stadiums and there has been no shortage of messages inside grounds too this year, as pro and anti-Wenger supporters have regularly fought with each other.
Even the Frenchman claimed he would “never forget” the “disgraceful” criticism he has suffered this season.
You have to wonder why Wenger wants to put himself through at least two more campaigns with the prospect of renewed attacks.
Affair
Especially when Paris St-Germain were trying to woo him once again this season – the job being there if he wanted it.
Starsport understands Barcelona had been dithering on appointing Ernesto Valverde in case Wenger decided enough was enough at Arsenal.
But it does seem like he has an obsession with the north Londoners.
In his official interview for the Gunners yesterday, Wenger said, “I love this club”, spoke of “a loving affair” with Arsenal and said he was where he “loved to be”. A place that “cherishes the values I love”.
He also had words of optimism for the red half of north London on the back of a strong end to the season following their FA Cup triumph.
Of course, that was not enough to stop them missing out on the Champions League, a competition they have exited at the first knockout stage for seven seasons in a row.
Wenger said: “I’m excited because I believe that our end of season is a big springboard to go for more.
“We have created a dynamic that is very positive and we want to build on that and transfer that positive end of season to the new season.
“I am looking forward to the future with optimism and excitement. We are looking at what we do well and how we can be stronger everywhere.
“This is a strong group of players and with some additions we can be even more successful. We’re committed to mounting a sustained league challenge. That will be our focus this summer and next season.
“It’s difficult because you want to respond to the demands of all the people who love this club.
“The message to the fans is in aid of the club: Let’s be together to support our players, to support the club and all give our absolute best to be at the level that we want to be.
“We can move up to the next level, I’m convinced of that, by having faith in the way we want to play and by supporting the players we have already.
“Of course, we’ll try to strengthen our squad to be stronger next season but we want to be faithful to the way we want to play the game.
“Our ambitions are unlimited. We want to perform better in every department so, of course, we want to have the best team around the team. We look at everything.”
The truth is, from the word go, the focus will be on Wenger.
A poor start could see him become the man more and more Arsenal fans love to hate.