Wenger unhappy with Arsenal boo-boys

ARSENAL boss Arsene Wenger hit out at the club’s fans yesterday after his side were booed by the Emirates fateful after letting another lead slip to surrender the Emirates Cup to New York Red Bulls.

The response of the those inside the stadium did not bode well for the new season, with the Gunners doing nothing to prove they had cured the frailties which caused their supporters so much suffering last term.

As in Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Boca Juniors, who they had led 2-0, Arsenal were unable to close out a game they had dominated, with substitute Kyle Bartley putting through his own net six minutes from time.

That was after Robin van Persie had put the tournament hosts on course for a fourth Emirates Cup success out of five when he nodded home shortly before half-time.

A frustrated Wenger chided the home fans, saying: “I can understand they want us to win but I don’t think we need to put any extra pressure on us now.

“The most important thing is to prepare and to take the pressure on when results really matter.”

Wenger also hit out at the referee for refusing to allow the returning Thierry Henry to switch sides for the closing minutes of the game.

The Arsenal boss was told it was not allowed under FIFA rules after the club had planned it as a surprise gesture.

But Wenger said: “We wanted him to play in the last five minutes for us and he was desperate to do it, but the referee stubbornly turned it down.’’

“I went even in to see the referee to ask him if he would allow him to play for us. But he told us the rules are adamantly against it because one given player cannot play for two teams in the same game.”

Meanwhile Jack Wilshere looks set to miss England’s friendly with Holland a week on Wednesday after suffering an ankle injury in the early stages of yesterday’s game.