Former Arsenal chairman BLASTS fans demanding Arsene Wenger is sacked

Posted Tuesday, December 02, 2014 by Dailystar.co.uk

ARSENAL fans campaigning for Arsene Wenger to be axed were last night slammed by former chairman Peter Hill-Wood.

Hill-Wood, who appointed Wenger 18 years ago, admits the is staggered some Gunners supporters want him gone.

Travelling fans displayed a huge banner during Saturday's 1-0 win at West Brom telling the Frenchman to quit.

"Thoroughly ignorant people seem to have a say nowadays," said Hill-Wood, 78, who was chairman for 31 years.

"It is a few hotheads jumping up and down thinking they are being clever.

"It is the most ridiculous way to behave really because normal people are forever saying boards act too hastily when they get rid of a manager.

"Here we have a really good one with the team sixth in the league and into the last 16 of the Champions League for the 15th consecutive season.

"Arsene would be entitled to ask them, 'what the hell do you want?'

"Frankly, I don't think the club will be paying any attention to them at all.

"I don't take too much notice of it and it isn't going to influence the board, I am sure of that."

Former Arsenal chairman BLASTS fans demanding Arsene Wenger is sacked
SUPPORT: Peter Hill-Wood has leaped to the defence of Arsene Wenger

Wenger reacted angrily to the latest criticism of his reign at the Emirates.

"I think you must get a bit p****d off when you've done such a terrific job and work up to 24 hours a day and you get a whole lot of ignorant people jumping up and down and screaming their heads off," added Hill-Wood.

"Obviously, you'd have to be very insensitive not to be concerned. But, having said that, I don't think it will be keeping him awake at night."

Arsenal face Southampton at home tomorrow, with goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez claiming Arsenal's training ground is even scarier than an actual game.

Martinez has kept two clean sheets in two victories since taking over from the injured Wojciech Szczesny.

He said: "If you can keep a clean sheet in training at Arsenal you are the best goalkeeper in the world!

"I have a tough time in training with the likes of Danny (Welbeck), (Alexis) Sanchez and Olivier Giroud.

"You are struggling to keep a clean sheet in training at Arsenal let me tell you, but I'm glad to have them on our side for matches when we go out there."