The Gunners are currently going through a very rough patch, having won only one game against non-league side Lincoln City in March so far. After two humiliating defeats to Liverpool and Bayern Munich, many Arsenal fans have gone to the streets to protest against their long-serving manager, Arsene Wenger. With the Wenger-Out brigade growing stronger and Arsenal currently sitting outside of the Top 4, the atmosphere around the Emirates stadium is becoming very tense. Now, it has been reported that the Arsenal board is planning to punish their stars if they miss out on a Champions League spot this season.
Arsenal stars face serious pay cuts
In 20 years at Arsenal, Wenger has managed to secure a Champions League spot in every season so far. This year may be a different story, though. Arsenal's dip in form is very worrying for supporters of the North London club, and the uncertainty over the future of two of their best players, Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Özil, further adds to the tension. Wenger must somehow bring confidence and motivation to his squad, if they are to finish in the Top 4 again. According to various sources, the club's board have threatened their players with pay cuts, if they fail to qualify for the Champions League next season. Furthermore, the Arsenal stars would miss out on millions of pounds worth of bonuses.
This will surely help motivate the Gunners to return to a Top 4 spot in the Premier League.
Premier League Table and Arsenal's next match
Currently, the Top 4 consists of league leaders Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City, and Liverpool. Arsenal, who are 5 points behind Liverpool, sit in 5th place. The Gunners do, however, have two games at hand, meaning that they could overtake The Reds by winning their next two matches.
Arsenal must also be wary of Manchester United, though, seeing as how the Red Devils are only 1 point behind the Gunners with the same number of matches played. Arsenal's next game will be against West Brom, who are currently 8th in the league, and it is crucial for the Gunners to take home the 3 points. While the title race may be virtually over, the battle for the Top 4 is still very much alive.
