Robert Pires has urged Arsenal fans to be ‘patient’ as Arsene Wenger searches for the key to success with this current side.

Pire’s comments came before a group of fans decided to project ‘WENGER OUT’ across Highbury and Marble Arch. I doubt their actions would have changed his comments.

Speaking to bwin, the former Arsenal star, said “I understand the fans and it’s quite right to criticise the players when they’re not performing and it’s down to the players to prove those critics wrong.

“You’re not always going to win the league, it’s impossible and there are so many good teams in this league.

“My message to the fans is be patient. Arsene has done well for a long, long time and he knows that the fans want to compete in the Premier League and he’s doing his best to make sure that happens. Of course there are reasons why it hasn’t happened this season, but Arsene is 100% the right man for the job.

“I want Arsene to extend his contract for two or three more seasons, I’ve made that very clear. I think we can challenge for the league next year.”

Wenger does indeed look set for a new deal meaning that Arsenal fans are set for another two years of in-fighting and protests unless Wenger can elicit massive change, both club-wide and personally.