Wenger admits fan unrest and disunity played big part in his decision to leave
Arsene Wenger has hinted that growing supporter unrest influenced his decision to quit Arsenal at the end of the season.
The 68-year-old saw his side beat West Ham United 4-1 at the Emirates Stadium yesterday afternoon in the first Arsenal game since he announced on Friday he would step down in the summer.
A late flurry of goals secured the win. It took the Gunners 51 minutes to open the scoring on a day of high emotion as Nacho Monreal fired in his sixth goal of the season in all competitions.
Marko Arnautovic drew the Hammers level with a fine strike in the 64th minute but after a defensive error saw Aaron Ramsey put Arsenal back in front, a late Alexandre Lacazette brace made sure of the points.
The defeat for West Ham means David Moyes’ side are still in danger of relegation (just six points from safety) but all eyes were on Wenger and the start of his long goodbye to Arsenal.
After the match the Frenchman revealed that he felt the club’s global reputation was being damaged by those dissenting fans calling for him to leave.
“Personally I believe this club is respected all over the world, much more than in England, and that our fans did not give the image of unity I want at the club all over the world and that was hurtful,” he said.
“I feel the club is respected and overall the image we gave from our club is not what it is and not what I like.
“I’m not resentful and I do not want to make stupid headlines. I’m not resentful with the fans, I just feel if my personality is in the way of what I think our club is, for me that is more important than me.
“That is what I want to say, it is nothing to do with the fans, the fans were not happy I can understand that, that is my job and I have to live with that, I can accept that.”
Manchestercity,confirmed Premier League champions last weekend, were in party mode as they beat Swansea City 5-0 at the Etihad.
The Swans, four points clear of the relegation zone, gave City a guard of honour and then found themselves two goals down in 16 minutes, with David Silva and Raheem Sterling on target early on. Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva and Garbiel Jesus scored secondhalf goals as City ran riot.
Stoke’s grip on their Premier League status loosened significantly with a 1-1 home draw against Burnley.
Manager Paul Lambert had targeted three wins from Stoke’s last four games to ensuretheirten-yearstayinthe top flight continued but he had to settle for a draw yesterday.
There was again no shortage of effort from the hosts, who have not won since Lambert’s first game in January, and they deserved the lead given to them by Badou Ndiaye on 11 minutes. But Ashley Barnes equalised 17 minutes after half-time and Stoke had to settle for a draw that leaves them four points adrift of safety with three games left.