Arsene Wenger banner wars as planes fly over Hawthorns during Arsenal-West Brom

By Lyall Thomas

A 'No contract #WengerOut' banner was flown over the Hawthorns

Arsenal fans clashed in the skies over Arsene Wenger's future, as contesting banners were flown above the Hawthorns during their 3-1 defeat at West Brom.

The first - reading "No Contract #WengerOut" - tailed a plane ahead of the lunchtime kick-off, live on Sky Sports 1HD.

The second - that read "In Arsene We Trust #RespectAW" - was flown over about 15 minutes into the Premier League game, with Arsenal trailing 1-0 to Craig Dawson's opener.

Alexis Sanchez equalised but further goals Hal Robson-Kanu and Dawson piled more misery on a beleaguered Wenger, who did not appear to notice the banners fly overhead.

Protests against Wenger have been held by small groups of fans outside Arsenal's Emirates Stadium in recent weeks, including before their home win over Lincoln in the FA Cup last weekend, and more banners emerged in the Hawthorns' away end at full-time.

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Image: Arsenal fans displayed banners in the stands at the Hawthorns too

Wenger refused to comment about the protests in his pre-match press conference this week but has said he will consider fan opinion when deciding his future, which he says he has now decided.

The Frenchman has a new two-year deal on the table and has said he will announce his decision "very soon", but he did not see the banners.

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"I watched the game. I do not watch the stands. I believe we have to live with that. You focus on your job no matter what people think," Wenger said.

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