Arsenal’s 1-5 loss to Bayern Munich was the biggest loss to have happened at the Emirate stadium. The Gunners came from a one goal lead only to get thrashed badly by the German side; losing out of the UEFA Champions League round of 16 on a 10-2 score line aggregate.
Nobody expected Arsenal to overturn the 5-1 defeat against Bayern Munich on Wednesday evening. Not Wenger, the players and certainly not the fed-up fans who marched through north London before kick-off demanding the Frenchman “get out” of their club.
Arsenal suffered their worst ever loss at the Emirates Stadium to exit the Champions League at the last-16 for the seventh year in a row.
Out of frustration and in order not to accept blame for the disgraceful act exhibited by his side, Wenger launched an attack on referee Tasos Sidiropoulos after his side were humbled 10-2 on aggregate, labeling the official’s performance “unexplainable and scandalous”.
“It leaves me very angry, very frustrated and I think that at the moment, because we are in a difficult period also, but I think it’s absolutely unexplainable and scandalous that you can look what happened really that the guy behind the line [the additional assistant] gives the penalty, on top of that the red card,” Wenger said after Arsenal’s third consecutive 5-1 defeat by Bayern.
“Personally, I would say we put Bayern really under pressure and we were unlucky tonight because it was a 100 per cent penalty in the first half on Walcott, check it on television, and in the second half the referee killed the game. After that, it was very difficult, but the referee I think was very, very powerful for Bayern tonight.
His jabs and criticism at the Greek referee is almost certain to land him in trouble with European football’s governing body. Wenger’s contract with the Gunners is due to expire in June and he hasn’t said anything about his future plans with the club. His only comment as regards the issue was that he would decide his plans “in March or April”.
Chants from fans around the world for the 67-year-old to leave after over 20 years in charge have intensified following the midweek 5-1 UEFA Champions League mauling at Bayern Munich. The last time Arsenal won the EPL title was 2003-2004 season when they had an unbeaten record.
A #WengerOut hash tag has been created on social media in order to show how tired they are of his failures and excuses. The fans believe ENOUGH IS ENOUGH; and it is time for change. The fans believe they spend a lot of money on season tickets and jerseys only to have same fate befall them every season.
The protesters carried banners and signs including one that read ‘No New Contract’ with the Frenchman set to leave the club in the summer if he doesn’t sign a new deal. They also chanted ‘Wenger Out’ as the marched towards the stadium.
The Manager has hinted that this could be his final season at the Emirates, amid growing fan disapproval following another season where the Premier League title appears to have disappeared. “There is always debate over whether I should leave after a disappointment. It is important for the club to make the right decision for the future.
“I did not work here for 20 years not to care. I had many opportunities to go somewhere else but I care for this club and its future. It is important to be in safe hands.” At his time at the North London club, Wenger has won only three Premier League cups and six FA Cups, he said: “I hate defeat, I hate to lose games. I have a big responsibility at this club. It is difficult to take but I have the strength and experience. I am in a public job and I must accept that. Everybody can have an opinion.
“But even if I leave, Arsenal will not win every game. Let’s not forget Arsenal did not play a lot of Champions League games before I arrived. It is not like Arsenal won five European Cups. They never won it. We have to take things in perspective. It is now very clear that Arsene Wenger does not command the respect of his team like he used to. “The players were so passive, especially Ozil. It’s as if they don’t take the coach seriously anymore.”
If Wenger decides to stay on, it’s hard to believe anything much would change. Supporters would be furious, but would continue parting with their hard-earned cash to watch the team, and the cycle of false hopes followed by crushing defeats would still continue. That shouldn’t be allowed to happen, both for Wenger’s sake and the club’s. It’s been a magnificent 20 years, but the sadness enveloping the club is gradually becoming unbearable.
