Andy Gray: Why Arsenal fans abuse could convince Wenger to quit

Sharethematch.com ambassador Andy Gray was talking to Ben Baker, exclusively for tribalfootball.com.

ARSENE Wenger had some abuse directed his way for his substitutions in Arsenal’s game against Manchester United.

I don’t think such negativity has ever been aimed at Arsene like that before from an Emirates crowd – remarks such as ‘you don’t know what you’re doing’ will have been hurtful.

It was only a section of the fans that verbally voiced their opinions but it was a shock as Wenger has been untouchable since he arrived at Arsenal.

They were angry that he hauled Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain off and replaced him with Andrey Arshavin, who isn’t exactly a favourite at the Emirates Stadium right now after a series of disappointing performances.

I was surprised that the youngster came off because I thought that all the positivity Arsenal had created by getting an equaliser was gone in that one moment.

It was noisy and the fans suddenly believed again, but from that moment on the crowd were silent and the positivity turned to negativity in a flash.

And that is so unlike Arsene and it was quite shocking seeing the fans turn on him like that.

The decision lies entirely with Arsene himself but if a growing number of fans continue to voice their opinions like they did in the match against Manchester United and if they accuse him of not doing his job probably then you never know what could happen.

He could wake up one day and say to himself, “you know what, I have given this club 15 years of my life, I have taken them to places that they have never been before and I am getting this abuse, I don’t need it and I don’t want it.”

There is no doubt in my mind that if he were to step away then the club would be in a very difficult place and I have no doubt that a whole host of big European clubs will be looking to sign him up.

The thing that is so strange is that up until six years ago no one was criticising that he didn’t spend big money on big players.

Arsenal fans were all quite happy on bringing unknown names like Nicolas Anelka, Marc Overmars, Patrick Vieira, Thierry Henry and Emmanuel Petit. These players that he found became huge stars and there were no complaints.

But now that the club have quite clearly moved into a direction that they want to be at and changed the way they want to play over the last six years, it hasn’t quite happened for them and the fans are voicing their opinions.

But it is concerning for a club like Arsenal to go six years without a trophy and Arsenal fans have the right to voice their opinions – of course you do.

When Arsenal fans are seeing the likes of Liverpool getting into the Carling Cup final and getting close to winning some more silverware it is bound to grind on them as they will be wondering why they can’t do the same.

So I think there is growing pressure on Arsene but if he wants to stay then I don’t see him being pushed out of the door, that’s for sure.

 
Andy Gray is an official ambassador for Sharethematch.com – Football’s Social Network. Available now for FREE online or at the App Store; http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/share-the-match/id450784289?mt=8