Wenger in favour of fans standing

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger would support the introduction of safestanding areas to Premier League grounds – “if the safety is right”.

Research by polling firm Populus indicates that a clear majority of fans want the option to stand.

Premier League clubs have not yet reached a joint position on whether they should back calls for the government to drop the all-seater rule for the top two divisions, which has been in place since the 1989 Hillsborough disaster, but when asked about safe standing, Wenger said: “I am in favour personally. The atmosphere is much better when people stand.

“The closer you are to the position of the player, the more supportive you are and you imagine if people were lying in bed watching the game, they could fall asleep sometimes so it is better they stand up.

“I think it is a tradition of English football to have that and overall I must say it is much better.”