Arsene Wenger says fans have 'disappointed love not aggression' for him and the Arsenal team

Arsenal manager says support shows fans are happy with the job he is doing

The majority of the home fans backed Arsene Wenger at The Emirates (Getty)

Arsene Wenger said the lack of widespread protest at The Emirates stadium today during his side’s 1-0 win over Norwich showed that Arsenal supporters respect the job he is doing and put the disquiet down to disappointment that the club did not win the league when they looked like they would.

“It was a bit of a strange atmosphere,” admitted the manager. “Overall, the fans, some were protesting, yes, but the big majority didn’t and were getting behind the team. They have shown they appreciate what I’ve done until now so it’s all right.

“This season was different, because we were in a position to win the league. I think it is disappointed love, not real aggression. It was not a stylish performance today that gets people of their seats. But we wanted to win the game.”

The manager admitted he did hear the pro-Wenger songs that broke out in response to a small ‘protest’ in the 12th minute - the amount of years Arsenal have gone without winning the league. “I did hear it and acknowledged it but I was focused on the game. My job is to win football games.

“It was a difficult atmosphere, yes, but we live with that and focus and give more. I’m sorry I can’t keep everyone 100 per cent happy but I’m a professional who has given 19 years to this club. I have to accept the judgement of people but don’t doubt my commitment.”

The victory moved Arsenal eight points ahead of fifth-placed West Ham and a step closer to Champions League football next season for the 17th consecutive campaign. “It was a much-wanted and much-needed win,” added Wenger. “Norwich were very well organised but we were serious and got the win in the end. We were patient and deserved the win against a team fighting to stay in the league. This game and the Sunderland game [last week’s 0-0 draw] were very similar.”

The Arsenal winger Alexis Sanchez looked disappointed when he was substituted. “My job is to make decisions,” Wenger said. To get everyone 100 per cent happy is difficult. I was more worried to keep the score at 1-0.”

Wenger did admit his team have struggled for goals this season but put that down to teams coming to The Emirates and playing well inside their own half after West Ham did it in the opening game of the season and won. “Teams sit very deep,” Wenger said, “and don’t come out and we did not find a way always to score the goals. Once we were 1-0 today there were more goals in the game for us. But we have not solved that problem against teams that sit back. Our results against the teams at the top, that come out, and don’t sit deep is very good this season.”

Despite the defeat, Alex Neil, the Norwich City manager, was pleased with his team’s performance and is confident they can avoid relegation despite the club now trailing Newcastle by two points. “We worked extremely hard,” he said. “We had a good game plan. We made Petr Cech pull off three or four really good saves that we could have done better with.

“There is nothing in it,” he said of the fight for survival. “The situation remains the same after as it was before: we need to pick up points. I am confident we can do it but we need to pick up wins sooner rather than later.

“The players can take a great deal of confidence from how they played today. It showed we are deteremined. It is unlikely Newcastle will win all three games because they haven’t put a run together like that all season but we’ve got to win our games.”