Arsenal fans came under more scrutiny on Wednesday night after thousands of empty seats were spotted at the Emirates.

The Gunners took on West Ham in the Carabao Cup quarter-final in the first match of a hectic festive fixture schedule.

Despite Arsene Wenger's side being just three games away from Wembley, just 44,741 fans in attendance.

The amount of empty seats caused quite the stir on social media with many critical of the lack of support.

But there were plenty of explanations for the stadium being far from full.

Empty seats in the upper Clock End of the ground (
Image:
EMPICS Sport)
Theo Walcott and Angelo Ogbonna (
Image:
PA)
Arsenal's Joseph Willock in action (
Image:
REUTERS)

Primarily, crowd safety rules prevented tickets going on general sale for the clash.

As many as 7,000 West Ham fans were in attendance and Islington Council imposed the limit following the trouble at the Europa League clash with Cologne earlier this season.

In addition, the Carabao Cup was not included in the season ticket package that many fans will have signed up for at the start of the campaign.

That meant season ticket holders had to buy tickets for the clash - and also ensured the declared attendance is not as high as usual.

Add in the fact we are in the most expensive time of the year, with four games coming up in the next fortnight, fans should probably be given some leeway!