Arsenal FC supporters are out in full force again to protest their polarizing manager Arsene Wenger. The embattled Frenchman has dealt with extremely strong fan backlash all season long, and the protests against him during the UEFA Champions League prompted the club to issue a statement this week.
Arsene Wenger also publicly said a couple days ago that the fan sentiment will be a factor, not the biggest factor, but it will still have influence on his decision. Today, ahead of the FA Cup clash with Lincoln City, more Arsenal fan protests transpired, and the photos and videos from the demonstrations are now circulating in the Twitterverse, blogosphere, cyberspace and media world.
Here is just a sample:
https://twitter.com/northwelshbale/status/840614325538697217
Arsenal fans protesting at the Emirates Stadium before Arsenal vs. Lincoln City in the #FACup. They want #WengerOut. pic.twitter.com/oDEqFRDgVg
— Bolarinwa Olajide (@iambolar) March 11, 2017
Scenes by Arsenal right now #AFCvLCFC #WengerOut #FACup pic.twitter.com/5V596Xq7gS
— Harry Anderson (@harrycanderson) March 11, 2017
https://twitter.com/LeaveWenger/status/840617259206860800?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
The protests continue at Arsenal…
…There is actually a banner that says #Wexit ?#AFC
(? @_AndyHa)https://t.co/XoxzqmBH7K
— The Sack Race (@thesackrace) March 11, 2017
https://twitter.com/Offs73/status/840610453009117186
Wexit is becoming the new term to describe the movement, and it’s now a top trending term on Twitter. Other hash tags performing well right now, are the usual anti Arsene Wenger slogans #LeaveWenger and #WengerOut.
The backlash against Wenger is so strong right now that the only real parallel I could find in the entire sporting universe is with University of Illinois Fighting Illini basketball. Those supporters got their wish today, as John Groce was relieved of his duties.
Only time will tell whether or not Gooners get their wish come May. Perhaps all the demonstrations and protests ultimately force the hand of Wenger and/or the club. Watch this space.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times and NBC Chicago.com, contributes to Chicago Tribune.com, Bold, WGN CLTV and KOZN.
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