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Wenger: Our fans are letting the side down
James Olley, Sports Correspondent23.10.08
Arsene Wenger today criticised Arsenal fans for not giving his team the support they deserve in their quest to end the club's trophy drought.
The Frenchman launched an impassioned defence of his youth policy at the Gunners' AGM at Emirates Stadium as he insisted they will secure their first silverware since the 2005 FA Cup victory over Manchester United at Cardiff.
Wenger said: “Last year we were very close to winning the Premier League and we ended four points behind Manchester United.
“I can understand the fans were disappointed we did not win it, having led for so long. But today when we have such a young team I believe we need to be intelligent. Instead of resentment we have to be behind the team more than ever because this team will deliver.
“The younger you are the more you need support. Sometimes the fans do not give the support this team deserves.”
Wenger spoke out as he sat next to Stan Kroenke, the club's new American director, who attended the meeting for the first time but did not comment.
Chairman Peter Hill-Wood also allayed fears from shareholders of a takeover, insisting he had “Arsenal running through his veins”.
He said: “We don't want to hand over control to someone who hasn't got Arsenal in their blood. I can assure you we will continue to pursue that aim. We are not going to sell out. As long as you [shareholders] are not going to get fed up with us, we are going to stay around.”
Hill-Wood also hinted that relations needed to be improved with Alisher Usmanov and his Red and White Holdings company, the club's largest shareholder with 24.9 per cent.
He added: “No information is given to them in addition to the information we give to all shareholders. I am sure their contribution will evolve over the years. I think we have got to work with the relationship and that is what we intend to do.”
The board have agreed a lockdown' agreement which prevents directors selling their shares to outside investors until 2012.
It was also suggested at the meeting that Arsenal would not be hit by the worldwide financial crisis despite their income being linked to the sale of flats on their former Highbury ground.
Hill-Wood added: “We will not be affected by the credit crunch. Our business model is robust. Expenditure on players is our top priority.”
On the playing side, Wenger revealed that striker Eduardo is making excellent progress after his broken leg against Birmingham last February and could be fit by mid-November.
He also said Tomas Rosicky would be back by January from a long-term hamstring injury which has needed surgery.
Meanwhile, defender Mikael Silvestre believes Arsenal are playing the kind of football that can take them to the Champions League Final.
The Frenchman made his debut in Saturday's 3-1 win over Everton before featuring in the 5-2 victory over Fenerbahce in midweek.
And the emphatic manner of this week's win in Turkey has left Silvestre believing the Gunners can repeat their 2006 run to the final of Europe's elite competition.
The 31-year-old said: “We have taken seven points from three European games and it's a very good start. We have to make sure we are getting ready for the next step, qualify first obviously but practice the good football that will get us to the final.”
Cesc Fabregas was again in outstanding form in Istanbul and goalkeeper Manuel Almunia today backed him to win a regular starting place in the Spain team.
Almunia said: “We have some fantastic midfield players in Spain, although I don't think there are any better than Cesc.”
Reader views (14)
I think several Arsenal fans have hit the nail on the head, success brings a different class of fan, Man Ure, suffer it, so to do Chelski, the real working class fans, the backbone of many of these clubs can no longer compete with the Johnny Come Latelys who will pay extortionate ticket prices, but theres no chance of that happening over Spurs, the home of the real football fan !!!
- Paxton, N17
Still like Highbury the Library then ha ha
- Philip The Spur, Ware Herts
The club have annoyed the fans, the real fans, ticket prices have gone up and all the prawn sandwich eating yuppies are the clubs first priority. When you get your own stewards telling you to "sit down" then there is something wrong. Football is no longer a working class sport, its all the snobs going now and if people stand or sing they don't like it...Try looking more closer to home Arsene, before you blame us for the atmosphere and lack of trophies.
- I8spurs, London, UK.
Grow up Wenger, if you think the first half against Everton deserved vocal support, you must be mad.
Why on earth should we pay for such over priced tickets for a team that will never reach their potential because you keep selling off the best players.
- Rob, London, UK.
The fans are behind the team, it's just that Arsenal fans have always liked to watch the match in peace and quiet. It's nearly silent over there now during the game as most match going Arsenal fans are now middle class.
- Ted, London, UK.
Sadly, Arsenal have become victims of their own success. The "Fever Pitch" fans who went to games to stand alongside others who bled Arsenal have been replaced with the "nouveau" fans who demand to be entertained.
God knows what they would have made of the teams of the mid-60s, mid-70s & mid-80s.
To paraphrase Wenger, you can't live on caviare.
- Andy Kelly, Hertford, UK.
As a true Gooner, I have one thing to say to our manager...
Give us fans some silverware other than the FA and Carling cup and we won't let the team down as he accuses.
- Gooner1, London, UK.
Wenger cannot complain about the support he gets because he knows that there are certain players who should not be in the team. Wenger knows it because these players have been criticised by the press. He also failed to buy central defenders which is the weak point of Arsenal team.
- Alex Messina, Malta.
Sounds like they've taken the Highbury library, to the Emirates, Cash burden Grove.
- Paxton, N17
Wenger is having a laugh. The club have priced out the passionate fans, only the "New Islington Set" can afford to go the Grove. The club's stance against standing, singing and their total disregard for the real fans has come back to bite them on the backside. If you encourage the types of fans who are at the Grove, then you relinquish the right to any kind of atmosphere. What's worrying me more is that when these Johnny Come Lately's tire of football, where is the future fan base going to come from. No atmosphere, I challenge anyone to feel like singing after paying £4-00 for a pie.
- N5gooner, Hackney, UK.
Maybe Arsenal should come up with a really rousing song for the fans to sing and to encourage better fan participation?
- Jaberwokie3, Switzerland.
When Wenger produces a young team that will win something, then he and the team will get the support they deserve. Having said that I don't know what Wenger is moaning about when he's team plays well the fans are as good and as loud as any supporters in the country. I think Arsen should be careful not to get the fans backs up, after all they have been very patient over the last three years, watched some wonderful football but no trophies to show for it. When you pay for your overpriced season ticket, yes you want to watch fantastic football but above all you want to watch your team lift a trophy or two at the end of the season
- James Hennessy, London England
Arsene Wenger should change his name to Arsene Whinger.
He is always complaining. Arsenal have been successful with his managership. They have played attractive football, and entertained. It isn't all about silverware.
He should count his blessings, he could be manager of Spurs!
- John, London
I support Arsene Wengers comments fully. We are so fortunate to have witnessed his superb reign. We have a state of the art training ground, an awesome new stadium & a wonderful young team on the brink of success.
- Rob Gooner, London
