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Arsenal fans in march to keep Arsene Wenger
James Olley20.05.09
Arsenal fans are planning a series of demonstrations in support of manager Arsene Wenger at the final Premier League game against Stoke.
The Gunners boss met with chief executive Ivan Gazidis yesterday to discuss summer transfer targets and distance himself from speculation surrounding a move to Real Madrid.
The group, Redaction, who are closely affiliated to the Arsenal Supporters' Trust, are mobilising more than 1,000 fans to take part in a 'Wenger march', from The Rocket pub on Holloway Road to Emirates Stadium prior to kick-off.
Redaction are creating a host of banners urging Wenger to stay after a week in which Arsenal fans have been criticised for questioning the 59-year-old's managerial decisions.
Wenger's side have been booed off several times at home this season and the Frenchman became disillusioned at questions regarding his judgement at a shareholders' meeting last week.
But the AST are keen to stress that "only three or four" out of more than 850 members voiced their disapproval, highlighting that the huge majority are still behind Wenger despite a fourth successive season without a trophy.
It is of greater concern to many close to the club that Wenger is given the financial resources to compete with Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool. Reports today suggested his transfer budget is just £13million.
A trust spokesman said: "Arsene Wenger is one of the greatest managers we have ever had.
"In the last few years he has performed his best work by delivering Champions League football within the financial constraints created by the move to Emirates Stadium.
"Arsene must stay. Ivan Gazidis understands the importance of providing both the funds and support for the manager in the transfer market so that Arsene can take us back to the top."
Wenger is understood to have met with Gazidis for an extended weekly lunch of more than three hours yesterday and gave no indication he was about to end his 12-year tenure.
Speculation had been rife that Wenger was considering a summer switch to Madrid after he claimed last weekend that prospective new club president Florentino Perez's project was "strongly interesting".
But, following the talks with Gazidis, Wenger said: "I'm staying here. There is nothing to worry about."
A club spokesperson added: "There is no change. Arsene is committed to the club with a contract until 2011."
Reader views (21)
Arsenal fans should march to keep Arsene Wenger, because he's the greatest manger in the clubs history and manager transformed the English game for the better. I will stop supporting Arsenal if he leaves.
- Ben S, London
MARCHING FOR THE ARSENAL I HOPE IT RAINS AND A FEW THUNDERSTORMS WOULD NOT GO A MISS.HOW STUPID OF ME CAUSE DRIPS DONT GET WET DO THEY. YID ARMY !!!!!!!
- Steven Woodfordgreen, london
shove it tottenham fans above your so obsessed with arsenal u lot r the only ones 2 comment!! we will win the champs league next year!! lets all march 4 wenger!!
- Claire, mill hill
Who cares
- Tonyy, London
Banners and a march......absolutely pathetic.
- Mark, Essex
Phil, herts - it was a joke based on a certain H Redknapp unsettling and trying to sign anything.
The fact you didn't get criticism of your North London rivals speaks volumes about the modern Arsenal fan.
- Joe, Romford
Some of you Chelsea Fans must not know what your talking about your talking about you guys being the best if Arsenal had the money you guys have to buy players then we qould have been champions, see how you guys are not spending now look at Man UTD the owners borrowed the money and also Liverpool and Chelsea when you guys go bank crupt then i will see what will happen then maybe you will get relegated from the leauge look now your owners dont have as much as before even look at the Arsenals shareholders they must not have the money but i would say Arsenal are the best in developing young playters and we turn them into stars, so Chelseayour players are getting old, Man Utd well your quality will not be the same next season, i think we will add at least 3 or 4 quality players i would love to see David Villa come to Arsenal and Adebayor leave i also hope we get tevez if ade leaves, as we will be assured goals but 4 at least players are needed, and i dont think wenger needs a center half, look next season we are going to have Rosicky back in the center half so where do you think Cesc would play if we buy another center half then it will leave Rosicy the chance to leave, buy one or two strikers and 2 defenders.
I kno Arsenal will win the Leauge next season for Sure, Arshivin should also be a CF i think it will be a good parnternship with Van Persie.
- Daniel A, kent
Kev, the fact is (according to published accounts available at Companies House) Chelsea has spent a net £51m per season over the past five years from 2004- 2008. Arsenal on the other hand has spent a net £2m a season over the same period. This is quite some difference is it not? This underlines the problem faced by Arsene Wenger. The Arsenal Board are the in my humble opinion the biggest culprits in creating the chaos that surrounds Wenger given they have not adequately backed the best manager Arsenal have had. What a wasted opportunity. What is the point in moving to a magnificent stadium and then not investing in the team? The Board really should take a good hard look at themselves.
- Nk, Hemel Hempstead
Kev, London - I can't wait until next season mate. Arsenal may not end up challenging for the title but we will definitely be a better side. Whilst your team will be that one further year over the hill, and most importantly you won't have your saviour Guus Hiddink to paper over the cracks like he has done this season.
You might want to remember that Arsenal beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge earlier in the season when Scolari was at the helm. It's only because Hiddink rode to your rescue and Arsenal had half their first team defence missing that you got the better of us in our two recent games.
You had better hope and pray that whoever you get in is as manager next season is as good as Hiddink or your season will probably go down the same route it did under Scolari.
I really hope Everton beat Chelsea in the Cup Final, because they're a good club with a good manager who have built their team on a shoestring budget and most importantly they have a bit of class and dignity.
If Chelski don't win the Cup that'll be two years without a trophy. Then you might want to dust off your own pair of rose-tinted spectacles Kev, because you'll need to put a positive spin on being halfway towards Arsenal's drought, but with much less reason for it.
But then, of course, Abramovich will go out and splurge £100m on buying his way towards some more silverware.
- Steven, London
The great man Wenger is staying at London's top club, check the HISTORY books. Thirteen titles...thats 13 titles Chelsea, Spurs, West Ham et al. I rest my case. Up the Gunners!
- Sean, Cork, Ireland
What on earth has the comments made by Joe Romford to do with this article are about is baffling??
Wenger desaerves full credit and backing for all he has done at the Gooners,all true 100% fans know this they would be nowhere without him,who else could replace him,these jump on the bandwagon,clueless fans who have either never been to a game or are they the ones who leave early should get a life and go elsewhere.
The prem would be better off with Wenger that without him, to the neutral his footballing values are superb.
- Phil, herts
Why not ask some Tamils to join in and they could block the Holloway Road until next season?
- Jane, London
Nick, London. thanks for pointing out my error.
ps - what side of your bed does your wife Wenger sleep.
- Jonny, Cfc, London, London
Nick, London - Chelsea are in the Cup Final - Arsenal are not! As for 'spending ridiculous amounts of money as per usual' - Chelsea have spent £24 million in 2008-9, Arsenal £21 million. Get your your facts right before spouting typical gooner rubbish. If I remember rightly it was 4-1 to Chelsea only a couple of weeks ago - men against boys! Still, I'm sure they will come good finally in another couple of years. Rose-tinted glasses comes to mind!
- Kev, London, England
"Well, what can you say about the boy, he's a great talent, a great talent. I'm not sure what his situation is, but someone told me he just wants to manage in North London, so obviously I'd want him here. But he's got a contract with Arsenal and I don't like talking about people contracted to other clubs, but I'd definitely like to see him here if it were possible, for sure."
H Redknapp, 10 minutes ago
- Joe, Romford
Arsenal in late bid to snatch "Biggest Laughing Stock" award from the jaws of Tottenham fans, Manchester City, and the North East...
Will it be a peaceful march do you think??
- Stu, Beckton
Jonny, no disrespect, but if you read the article properly you would see that Wenger is going nowhere. There was never a chance that he would leave- he loves the club and would never break a contract. Chelsea have also won nothing this year despite the changing their coach every couple of months and spending a ridiculous amont of money as usual.
Arsenal fans have been frustrated this season and have made their feelings known- in my book, there is nothing wrong with that as long as it is respectful. Believe me, Arsene will stay, we will buy at least 2 world class players during the summer and will be real force again in the Premership and in Europe next season.
- Nick, london
I am pleased Wenger is staying to see out his cntract. The person who should go now is Hill-Wood. He lives in his insulated private world of gentleman rules and toasted muffins. Does he understand how much it costs just for a single visit to The Emirates. Ticket prices are plain stupid. Once inside the fan has to bend to caterers whims where long gone are the varied choices of food and drink, fans are captive to caterer choices and prices. Its a total rip off Hill-Wood and to see the team perform second rate due to lack of talent is less than funny. Let others in who have offered the necessary funding to make Arsneal great once again. Go now and do all current and future Arsenal fans a huge favour.
- Steve, London
Further to my earlier message here, wouldn't it be great if he decided to leave Arsenal, then changed his mind.
The tabloids could then have the headline
"Arsene about face"
- Martin H. Watson, Teddington
I know nothing about football, but in a sport dominated by yob fans, yob players and yob managers, Wenger seems to be above the rest of them. He always wears suits I'd die, for, and speaks English better than most people who live here.
- Martin H. Watson, Teddington
its a 'real' shame that wenger's going. as Arsenal could have another 4 years or more with nothing.
Kevin Keegan is available!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- Jonny, Cfc, London
