Arsene Wenger
Arsenal's French manager Arsene Wenger (centre right) watches from his seat as his team try to come back from two goals down in the FA Cup quarter final football match between Arsenal and Watford at the Emirates Stadium in London on March 13, 2016. Getty

Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira says he is disappointed by how Arsene Wenger is being treated by his fans and insists that the Frenchman deserves some respect for what he has achieved at the club in his 20 years at the helm. A fan brought out a banner saying 'Arsene thanks for the memories but it's time to say goodbye' at the KC Stadium after the Gunners beat Hull City 4-0 in the fifth round replay of the FA Cup which led to unrest.

Daggers were out once again when the Gunners crashed out of the quarter-finals owing to a 2-1 loss to Watford, fuelling further speculation over his future. The Gunners had won the trophy two years in a row but their run of one win in seven games has all eliminated their chances of winning a trophy this season.

Wenger called the pressure from supporters a farce and that every team goes through a lean patch. However, this has not been taken in the right spirit by the supporters who were in an unforgiving mood after the game against Watford and got involved in a fight following the game. However, Vieira, who is managing MLS club New York City FC at this point, believes that the supporters have gone too far in putting forth their views and that Wenger still has a plan to take the club forward.

"Arsenal are going through a difficult period, but I was surprised and a bit disappointed (by the banner)," Vieira told talkSPORT 2. "Fans can be frustrated, but they forget at times what Arsene has brought to the club. He deserves a bit more respect. Fans can boo and show their anger, but the way they did it with that banner showed a lack of respect. This is the way it is, this is football, but it shouldn't be like that.

"Arsene will know when it is time for him to go. He knows what he is doing. He loves the game, he works really hard, he's a work addict. He watches every single game in every single league and has a clear vision of what he wants to achieve. People like it or don't like it. He has done a fantastic, unbelievable job for Arsenal Football Club and, with that message after the Hull game, the fans went a little bit too far," he added.

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