Arsene Wenger admits fan protests were distracting (Picture: Getty)

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has admitted criticism and protests from the club’s fans last season had a hand in the team’s poor form towards the end of the campaign.

The Gunners went through a torrid patch between February and April that saw their top four hopes collapse and resulted in a humiliating exit from the Champions League at the hands of Bayern Munich.

Wenger was personally targeted by a growing number of disgruntled supporters, with many calling for him not to be offered a new contract as he headed towards the end of his deal at the time.

However, the Frenchman ended up extending his stay for another two years on the back of a strong finish that saw Arsenal beat Chelsea in the FA Cup final, having also overcome strong opposition in the form of Manchester City in the semis.

Speaking about that period a few months later, Wenger says he felt some fan criticism was over the top and admits it also affected his own confidence, thereby having a negative effect on the players.

Arsenal fans called for Wenger’s head last season (Picture: Getty)
Wenger’s side collapsed in the second half of last season (Picture: Getty)
Despite protests against the manager, he eventually signed a new two-year deal (Picture: Getty)

‘There have been a lot of divisions amongst Arsenal supporters,’ Wenger told France Football.

‘They have sometimes been expressed in a ridiculous way, like when a plane flew over the Emirates with a message that was hostile towards me.

‘Maybe my attitude had an impact on our season, because, at one point, the players came to me and asked me, “what is going on, boss?”

‘With my indecisiveness, I created a lack of clarity in the dressing room. And there is nothing worse than when players feel like you are not totally committed. So, at one moment, I said to them: “I am with you guys, but we have to win matches.”

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‘You always ask yourself questions. Am I the right person to continue to do good work? When I am faced with uncertainty or sadness, I try to really focus on what really counts in football. I question myself. I work harder, I try to advance myself, to become better, but I cannot say that the critics do not affect me.

‘Everybody wants to be liked, by the fans especially. You have to continue to fight, to concentrate on your motivation. To be able to resist stress is an important quality in modern football, and not only for managers.’

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