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Arsene Wenger feeling comfortable at fortress Emirates as he waves goodbye to last season’s fans’ protests

AT long last, it is safe for Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger to enjoy a few home comforts.

The Frenchman, 68, has seen off the hate mob who made his life misery earlier this year.

 Arsene Wenger is very happy with life at the Emirates
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Arsene Wenger is very happy with life at the EmiratesCredit: PA:Press Association

He faced almost weekly protests from angry fans demanding an end to a reign which began in 1996.

He even went so far as to blame the toxic atmosphere for Arsenal’s failure to win their first league title since 2004, claiming at the end of last season:

“The environment for this group of players was absolutely horrendous.

“Away from home, we are championship winners. But we lost the title in a very difficult climate at home against the lower teams.”


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 But not so long ago it was a completely different story
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But not so long ago it was a completely different storyCredit: PA:Empics Sport
 Fans were demanding the Frenchman called it a day
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Fans were demanding the Frenchman called it a dayCredit: Phil Shephard-Lewis - The Sun

But  Wenger has reached an uneasy truce with his detractors, helped by a run of 12 successive Premier League wins at the Emirates.

Now victory over Manchester United and bitter rival Jose Mourinho on Saturday would seal Wenger’s conviction that there is no place like home.


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Wenger believes the change is down to his decision to play with three centre-backs after the disastrous 3-0 defeat at Crystal Palace in April.

His team has conceded just five Premier League goals at the Emirates since then, maintaining nine clean sheets in that 12-match winning run.

 But these days Wenger has kicked everything back into place
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But these days Wenger has kicked everything back into placeCredit: Getty Images - Getty
 Now comes the big test - Manchester United and his old foe Jose Mourinho at home on Saturday
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Now comes the big test - Manchester United and his old foe Jose Mourinho at home on SaturdayCredit: PA:Press Association

Wenger said: “The atmosphere is  linked with our confidence, plus the fact we have been more stable defensively and a bit more patient in our game.

“The mood in the stadium is always a consequence of your results and the way you play.

“We always try to play good football but when the results are not what people expect, of course they get nervy.

“We are a team who puts many players in front of the ball when we attack so we are vulnerable on the counter.

 Romelu Lukaku will be out to bully the Arsenal defence
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Romelu Lukaku will be out to bully the Arsenal defenceCredit: Getty
 Anthony Martial is also sure to trouble the Gunners on Saturday
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Anthony Martial is also sure to trouble the Gunners on SaturdayCredit: AFP

“But the fact we now play with three centre-backs helps us to be caught less on the break.”

Not since 2005 at Highbury have Arsenal won 13 home league games in a row. And Wenger knows his team will need all their defensive strength if they are going to see off  United to equal that club record.

Full Saturday Premier League preview including Arsenal vs Manchester United

He said: “United look to be a strong team and they have a lot of power up front with Romelu Lukaku, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial.

“Mourinho has had time to put his print on the team and they are  strong on the counter-attack.

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“They have just scored four goals at Watford, so our defensive performance will certainly be important. We must be well organised when we don’t have the ball against them — because if you look at their players they can be dangerous everywhere.”

Arsenal are currently four points behind United but 12 adrift of runaway leaders Manchester City.

Asked whether everyone is already playing for second place, Wenger (left) said: “We have to keep trying — but at the moment City are too far away.

“They were lucky a few times this season, we can only focus on our own results and not worry too much about City.”

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