Arsenal fans hold banners after the Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and West Bromwich Albion. (Photo : Getty Images/Paul Gilham)
Thousands of angry Arsenal supporters boycotted the club's recent Premier League match against West Bromwich Albion. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger pleaded to the fans to come back and support the club with only four league games remaining.
"Come and support the team. If you love football, you go out there, I think you see quality football. That's what we try to give to our people," Wenger said in a postgame press conference via The Mirror.
The Gunners sits third in the EPL table behind leaders Leicester City and Tottenham Hotspur. Arsenal fans frustrations built up after it became apparent that the club will not end its 12-year Premier League title drought.
Many of the supporters are even calling for Wenger to step down from his position as manager. He is Arsenal's longest-serving manager that started in 1996 and has resulted in a total of 15 trophies.
However, the 66-year-old manager has been under fire for the season wherein the Gunners have only won five of their last 14 matches. Manchester United and West Ham are closing in on a top-four position that assures a spot it the UEFA Champions League next season.
In the 2-0 win over West Brom on April 21, Thursday night at the Emirates Stadium, about ten thousand fans boycotted the game. They failed to see the performances put on by Chilean winger Alexis Sanchez and 19-year-old wonderkid Alex Iwobi.
Sanchez scored a brace with the first goal coming in the sixth minute while scoring his second just about eight minutes before the half-time break. On the other hand, Iwobi impressed with an excellent display of skill and consistency for someone his age.
The Gunners will face Sunderland, Norwich City, Manchester City and Aston Villa in their remaining fixtures. Nonetheless, many fans are anxious to know if Wenger will be coming back next season or the club will finally sack their longtime manager.
The French manager has made it clear that he no plans of leaving Arsenal next season but football pundit Alan Smith believes Wenger's time in England should end. Smith told Sky Sports in an interview that Arsenal would be a better team if they can lure Atletico Madrid manager, Diego Simeone, to North London.
Another pundit Jamie Redknapp suggested a different manager to replace Wenger. He said that current Germany manager Joachim Loew will fit Arsenal's style of play and philosophy.
Check out the highlights of Arsenal's 2-0 win against West Brom in the video below.
