Arsenal FC news: Arsene Wenger not disappointed by poor attendance for 2-0 win over Sunderland

Arsene Wenger has admitted he is not disappointed by the poor turnout of Arsenal fans at the Emirates Stadium for Tuesday’s match against Sunderland.

Alexis Sanchez scored twice as the Gunners secured a hard-fought 2-0 win, which ensures their hopes of qualifying for next season’s Champions League are alive heading into the final day of Premier League football.

Their chances of reaching Europe’s premier competition are still out their hands, however, which meant there was little resting on the games against the Black Cats.

Considering that, as well as the fact the game was played on a Tuesday night, the crowd at the Emirates was remarkably small. Just prior to kick-off the stadium appeared only half full, and even after the game had started there was not a vast improvement.

There have been suggestions fans stayed away due to an ongoing boycott over Wenger remaining as Arsenal manager, after a season in which the relationship between the French coach and the Gunners faithful has soured.

However, Wenger himself downplayed such suggestions, claiming the poor attendance is not a disappointment.

Speaking to talkSPORT, he said: “It’s not a disappointment for me. It’s a Tuesday night against Sunderland who are already relegated; for people there is not a lot at stake.

“We expected it.”

Sanchez once again showed his class for the Gunners by netting a brace against the ever-impressive Jordan Pickford in the Sunderland goal.

Wenger was faced with further questions regarding the Chile forward’s future, with various reports suggesting he will leave the Emirates at the end of this season.

Wenger added: “First of all he’s not at the end of contract, so a decision is quite obvious.

“Secondly, I believe Alexis has developed as a player here and everybody notices that. He’s become a passer of the ball and a goalscorer; all his numbers are higher than ever. So he doesn’t waste his time here.”