Arsene Wenger has hinted that growing supporter unrest influenced his decision to quit Arsenal at the end of the season.
The 68-year-old saw his side beat West Ham 4-1 at the Emirates Stadium in the first Arsenal game since he announced on Friday he would step down in the summer.
Wenger has been in charge at Arsenal for over 21 years but his role has come under increased scrutiny in recent times following annual failings in the Premier League and Champions League.
A late flurry of three goals in seven minutes wrapped up a win for Wenger as his long farewell began, Aaron Ramsey putting the Gunners back in front before Alexandre Lacazette hit a late double to add gloss to the result.
A point for the Hammers, for whom Marko Arnautovic scored to cancel out Nacho Monreal’s opener, means they are still in danger of relegation.
The bigger picture here was the start of Wenger’s goodbye and it was after the game when he revealed he felt the club’s global reputation was being damaged by those dissenting fans calling for him to leave.
“Personally I believe this club is respected all over the world, much more than in England, and that our fans did not give the image of unity I want at the club all over the world and that was hurtful,” he said.
“I feel the club is respected and overall the image we gave from our club is not what it is and not what I like.
“I’m not resentful and I do not want to make stupid headlines.
“I’m not resentful with the fans, I just feel if my personality is in the way of what I think our club is, for me that is more important than me.
“That is what I want to say, it is nothing to do with the fans, the fans were not happy I can understand that, that is my job and I have to live with that, I can accept that.” (RTE)
Source: Daily Sports
[7:46 AM, 4/23/2018] Media at Award: Chelsea Zoom to Battle Man United in FA Cup Final
Olivier Giroud’s brilliant semi-final goal helped Chelsea beat Southampton to reach the FA Cup final and set up a meeting with Manchester United.
Chelsea striker Giroud received the ball from Eden Hazard and jinked his way past two Southampton players in a crowded area before he stabbed the ball home.
Giroud was replaced by Alvaro Morata with 10 minutes to go and the substitute sealed safe passage with Chelsea’s second when he headed in at the back post from Cesar Azpilicueta’s cross.
Southampton went close with Nathan Redmond’s low drive from distance while Charlie Austin hit the post.
It means Chelsea manager Antonio Conte will come up against managerial adversary Jose Mourinho at Wembley on 19 May.
There is no love lost between Conte and former Chelsea manager Mourinho, who have traded insults throughout the season.
The final is also repeat of 2007 when Mourinho guided Chelsea to a 1-0 victory over United in the first to be played at the rebuilt Wembley.
Conte’s Chelsea were beaten in last season’s FA Cup final by Arsenal, albeit as a club which appeared much more harmonious.
They went into that final as Premier League champions and a domestic double would have put the gloss on a fine campaign.
This season has been a stark contrast with the London club struggling to finish in the top four to secure a Champions League place.
Rumours have also swirled over Conte’s future at Stamford Bridge.
Victory in the FA Cup final will allow Conte to potentially provide a silver lining to what has been a difficult season.
To do so against Mourinho would also be particularly sweet for both Conte and Chelsea’s fans, with the Portuguese’s relationship with his former club having become strained since he took over at Old Trafford.
Encouragingly for Conte, there were flickers of the kind of form Chelsea showed at their best in that title-winning season in this game as they deservedly progressed.
Willian struck the crossbar after a rapid counter-attack, the impressive Hazard forced Alex McCarthy to tip the ball over the crossbar, while Morata twice went close at the end.
They will face much sterner opposition in United and Mourinho, though. (BBC)