Arsenal’s nightmare season contd to restartinued with an embarrassing 3-0 defeat at Crystal Palace. The team’s chances of a top four finish look further away then ever, with most of their competitors winning at the weekend. Fans are torn about their support for manager Arsene Wenger.
Arsenal fans have little to celebrate this season. In fact, despite Arsene Wenger’s legendary status in England management, the team has only won a single trophy in recent years (the F.A. Cup). With morale at an all time low, after recent losses in the league and the elimination in the Champions League, the team succumbed to a new defeat to lowly Crystal Palace.
Andros Townsend, Yohan Cabaye and Luka Milivojevic scored three times against Petr Cech. It’s three vital points for Palace in their attempt to avoid relagation at the end of the season. Throughout the game the Arsenal players were slow to react. It’s Arsenal fourth away defeat in a row in the Premier League, a negative record for Arsene Wenger.
Arsenal are in a disappointing sixth place. More importantly the team is seven points behind the top four. Champions League football has been something Wenger’s team managed to offer their supporters consistently. It now looks unlikely this will happen next season. Wenger admits the team has underperformed, but is confident for the remaining eight games of this year’s EPL.
“I’ve managed over 1,100 games for Arsenal and we’re not used to losing like that,” said Wenger. “We have to respond very quickly and not accept it. I understand our fans are disappointed and we all are deeply disappointed. It’s very worrying and disappointing the way we lost the game. Palace were sharp, they beat Chelsea the other day, and that shows they have quality. We are in a difficult position. The game tonight doesn’t help.”
Fans were torn regarding their support for Arsene Wenger. The majority was disappointed with the team and called for Wenger to step down. Other chose to focus on the manager’s overall record and his commitment to the club through the years. Wenger refused several high-profile jobs in the past and also guided the team through their transition to a new stadium.
Speaking to BBC radio, former Chelsea striker Chris Sutton provided a quote that sadly sums up the situation at Arsenal. “At one time, Arsene Wenger managed the Invincibles. He is now managing the Invisibles. He has to go, because the players are not listening. The biggest problem with Arsenal is that it’s Wenger who makes the decision on his future. I don’t get it. It should be up to the owners.”
“They must be embarrassed by tonight’s performance. It was limp. They were played off the park by a team in danger of relegation. It was a pathetic showing.”
