Arsene Wenger fears the case for introducing safe standing at English stadiums has been damaged by the violence at West Ham.
The Arsenal manager is an advocate of safe standing but thinks the ugly scenes at the London Stadium on Wednesday will strengthen the argument of those who oppose the idea.
The Hammers’ win over Chelsea in the EFL Cup was marred by violent clashes between rival supporters and Wenger is worried that those scenes may have a knock-on effect.
‘It gives an argument to people who are against (safe standing),’ said the Frenchman yesterday in the build-up to his side’s Premier League visit to Sunderland this afternoon.
‘Personally I am in favour of the resurgence of standing opportunities behind the goals and (the trouble at the London Stadium) is not a very good advert for standing. I am surprised, hopefully West Ham will get rid of the problem very quickly.
‘I don’t believe there is a problem with hooliganism in England. You cannot say that one minor incident — I heard about 200 people — is a general problem in the country.’
Giving his reasons as to why he is in favour of standing, the Frenchman added: ‘I feel the closer you are to the positions of the players, the more passionate you are about it.
‘Also, it would allow lower prices because you could get more spectators inside the stadiums and maybe a more passionate atmosphere.’
Meanwhile, Wenger has warned Alexis Sanchez he must get used to being substituted in games.
The Chilean’s desire to play every minute of every game is well known but it has led to some awkward moments for Wenger.
Sanchez has been substituted three times this season as Wenger looks to preserve his forward’s energy.
But the 27-year-old has been visibly irked by his manager’s decision on each occasion.
Wenger said: ‘For me he is not a special case. He is a player like everybody else.
‘When I decide to take him off, I take him off. There is no special case. He has his own character but he is not treated differently from everybody else.’
Aaron Ramsey will be available for today’s game at the Stadium of Light after recovering from a hamstring injury that has kept him out for two months.
Santi Cazorla, however, is a doubt with an achilles injury but the Spanish midfielder did participate in first-team training yesterday.
© Daily Mail