Arsene Wenger has blamed the ‘difficult climate’ fans have created at the Emirates Stadium this season for Arsenal’s failure to win the Premier League.
Gunners supporters’ groups are planning ‘A Time for Change’ protest at Saturday’s Premier League home match against Norwich City as they are concerned about the running of the club.
Speaking ahead of the match, Wenger admitted he understood the fans’ frustrations but said the negative atmosphere at home has contributed to the unsuccessful title bid this season.
‘We lost the championship at home against the lower teams, but we played at home in a very difficult climate,’ Wenger said.
Arsenal's home and away form
Home – 17 matches, ten wins, four draws, three losses
Away – 18 matches, eight wins, six draws, four defeats
‘We have to realise that, away from home, we are championship winners. At home, against the smaller teams, we lost the league.
‘This club does have special values though and one I’ve experienced over the years is to stick together and support the team.
‘There’s no success without that.’
Wenger’s suggestion Arsenal would be champions solely on their away form has a significant flaw – they have the third-best record in the division behind Premier League leaders Leicester City and second-placed Tottenham Hotspur.
Many onlookers expected Arsenal to finally end their 12-year title drought this season as they were top of the league at Christmas but a dip in form at the turn of the year, which included a Champions League and FA Cup exit, means they are now fighting for their customary top-four finish.
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