ARSENE WENGER INSISTS he still retains the support of his Arsenal flops after they crashed to a dismal 3-0 defeat at struggling Crystal Palace on Monday.
Wenger’s side suffered their heaviest league loss of a wretched season as goals from Andros Townsend, Yohan Cabaye and Luka Milivojevic blew away the lacklustre Gunners.
Arsenal were so limp for long periods at Selhurst Park that the club’s legendary former striker Ian Wright claimed Wenger had lost the backing of his squad.
At least I f*****g tried! That dressing room is lost. Brilliant stuff Palace,” Wright tweeted.
Suffering a fourth successive away league defeat for the first time under Wenger, sixth placed Arsenal are seven points behind fourth placed Manchester City in the race to qualify for the Champions League via a top four finish.
Furious Arsenal fans chanted “Arsene Wenger we want you to go”, while his players weren’t spared either as “you’re not fit to wear the shirt” rang around Selhurst Park.
But the Arsenal manager was adamant his underachieving stars remain on his side.
I don’t think my players didn’t want it, but we lost duels in decisive moments and that’s how games are decided at this level,” Wenger said.
“I understand our fans are disappointed and we all are deeply tonight. It’s very worrying and disappointing the way we lost the game.
“We prepared and everyone prepared well. It’s difficult to explain just after the game.
It’s damaging, of course. On that front that is the most difficult for us. It has consequences on our chances to be in the top four. We are in a difficult position.”
Wenger has yet to reveal if he will sign an extension to the contract that expires at the end of the season.
But, asked if the uncertainty about his future is affecting the players, he said: “No, I don’t think so.
“I’m not in the mood to speak about it. At the moment I pay more respect to the fact we had a disappointing result.
Every defeat is a big worry. I’ve managed over 1,100 games for Arsenal and we’re not used to that.
“Unfortunately it is like that and we have to respond very quickly and not accept it.
“I’m disappointed and determined to put things right. Tonight the worry is not me, it’s the fact we lost a big game.”
Suffering such an embarrassing result at the hands of his old rival Sam Allardyce only added to Wenger’s woes and the Palace manager didn’t waste the chance to take a few jabs at the Frenchman.
“We all know Arsenal are going through their worst spell for years,” Allardyce said.
Tactically the players were aware of how to beat Arsenal. The first thing was to defend and frustrate them.
“Arsenal have been weak defensively, they leave the centre-backs exposed. Everything worked perfectly for us.”
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Wenger says he hasn’t lost players, sounds like an Egyptian swimmer to me………in denial.
The delusion is amazing at this point.
Lol
I mean it’s not completely his fault the players are shite to be fair
@Conall Ó Briain: he bought the shite players . So yes it is completely his fault
@Shane Murphy: I wouldn’t say they’re shite players they are just playing shite. Sanchez and Ozil can be great
@Conall Ó Briain: Sanchez can, Ozil is a waster.
@David: Ozil is always the scapegoa for Arsenal. Goal and assist last week for him. Sanchez can be absent just as much as Ozil from games when he’s needed. The squad as a whole don’t have the fight in them
@David: scapegoat*
Sympathy and tactical advice from Big Sam.. thts a portent tht AWs time is done!
I could agree with you Arsene, but then we’d both be wrong.
Little Bo Peep , oh sorry they were sheep !!! Ferguson 8-2 , Jose 6-0 on 1000 match in charge , pep 5-1 in Allianz, Ancoletti 10-2 on aggregate , pulis 3-1 , fat sam 3-0 ,,koeman 4-0 pochetinno is sharpening his knife , 4 points from last 8 away games,how much humiliation can a manager and a club take
@ger gavin: That’s embarrassing, you’ve gone back quite a few years there to make an example. Most teams get a beating like that every now and again, not just Arsenal.
@ger gavin: up to date version: BAYERN 10-2 LIVERPOOL 3-1 WEST BROM 3-1
@Ollie Watson: i had the Pulis 3-1 , forgot the liverpool 5-1
@ger gavin: says the sad spud whose team last won a Title back when there wasn’t even colour photographs…1961…and who last won an FA Cup in 1991. Wenger has won 3 Premier Titles Spuds zero nil zilch nada…now get back in yr box spud.
Wonder who gets the chop first. Wenger or mourinho. Please God it’s the latter.
@BoomBoomBonnie: you hopefully!
@BoomBoomBonnie: of course you hope it Jose as your running scared of what he WILL achieve!!!
@BoomBoomBonnie: but your a Liverpool fan like me
@Mark Nugent: i hate choose. Tra la la la la
@Hoof Hearted: hahahhahahah tks for that
If Wenger had an ounce of sense he’d announce he’s leaving at the end of the season right now, that way he might actually get the team motivated again and his achievements would be lauded in the media.
Instead he’s going to go out in ridicule with a team and fans that are sick to death of him.