A van with a plan! Arsenal fans run famous Ivan Gazidis quote on mobile billboard in fresh ‘Wenger Out’ protest

Arsenal fans to continue protests ahead of Manchester City clash
Evening Standard
James Benge2 April 2017

Arsenal supporters are to continue their protest against under-fire manager Arsene Wenger for the fourth straight game ahead of Sunday's crucial clash with Manchester City at the Emirates.

Supporters who have previously marched against Wenger at home games have today hired a van to take to the streets of north London in a bid to unseat the Arsenal manager.

The vehicle bears the line "20 Years in Europe and we're still waiting" in addition to the oft-repeated quote by chief executive Ivan Gazidis from 2011 where he said Wenger was accountable to Arsenal fans.

Gazidis said: “Arsene is accountable to the fans - they ultimately make judgement. If you are seeing the relationship between the fans and the manager break down over time that is unsustainable.”

Photo: Evening Standard
Evening Standard

It increasingly appears likely that Wenger will sign the new two-year contract on offer - though he insisted on Thursday that no deal had been finalised - but Wenger's most ardent critics have insisted they will simply continue their protest into next season.

Supporters have already flown a plane over an away game at the Hawthorns demanding no new contract for Wenger, though their message was somewhat hampered by another aircraft that flew moments later demanding respect for the Arsenal manager.

"Retiring is for young people. For old people retirement is dying. I still watch every football game. I find it interesting."

Photo: Evening Standard
Evening Standard

"I carry a bit more pressure on my shoulders than 20 years ago (when he first arrived at Arsenal) but the hunger is exactly the same.

"When you see what the club was and what it is today - when I arrived we were seven people (members of staff), we are 700 today.

"One share was £400, it £18,000 today. And I'll tell you straight away, I don't have any shares.

"I hate defeat. But I can understand the fans that are unhappy with every defeat but the only way to have victory is to stick together with the fans and give absolutely everything until the end of the season, that's all we can do."

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