Arsene Wenger protest: Fan anger in short supply at the Emirates ahead of kick-off against Norwich

Talk of a mass protest at The Emirates today ahead of the Arsenal vs Norwich City match was somewhat wide of the mark. The mood at the stadium has been mildly moody since it became apparent the club would go another season without winning the title.

Manager Arsene Wenger fuelled the fans’ ire, on social media at least, when during his Friday morning press conference he blamed the home support for creating an atmosphere at The Emirates that was not conducive to his side playing free-flowing football.

However, half an hour before kick-off the ‘protest’ amounted to approximately 50 blokes congregated on the island in the middle of the roundabout on Benwell Road at the foot of the steps at the front of the stadium.

Those protesters, backing the Time For Change campaign, were handing out A4 pieces of paper with their slogan on it but there was very little orchestrated singing or chanting and the mood was calm and peaceful despite the clamour on social media for the manager to leave the club after his 20 years in charge.

A banner with “Arsene, thanks for the memories but it's time to say goodbye” on it was unfurled for the benefit of the handful of photographers who were there anticipating a protest.

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Arsenal last won the Premier League title 12 years ago and have not finished in the top two since 2005.