Why was Arsenal atmosphere so flat? Emirates season ticket holder explains why there was no Arsene Wenger party vs West Ham

It felt a bit odd, to be honest. I got to the pub just after 11am and it was already absolutely heaving with people drinking outside. Of course the sunshine helped, but there was a real end of season feel to it, a bit like it has been at the end of happier seasons when the title has been all wrapped up and the run-in was a formality.

It was all most people were talking about, and I think that’s why the mood felt as it did - it was probably relief more than anything. From the mass feeling of fear there was another year to come of Wenger’s reign, there was suddenly an air of “Phew, he’s seen the light and he’s calling it a day!”. There was also plenty of optimism about what this summer and the future holds. Conversations ranged from favourite Wenger games and memories, to who we’ll get in to replace him to build on his legacy. A legacy he no longer has to tarnish with disappointments against his own high standards.

He did get a good reception, all things considered, I think. There was a real sense of anticipation in the ground for him to emerge from the tunnel, and there was warm applause when he did. Once the game kicked off, it took barely two minutes for the first “One Arsene Wenger” chant to catch on around the ground.

There’s a few reasons for that I think. The atmosphere was there at the start but the first-half was really dull and kept people in their seats - rightly or wrongly, that’s just the way it is at most games these days. It’s no surprise it got a lot louder and warmer towards Arsene when we had a two or three goal cushion towards the end of the game. Then you’ve got to take into account the lingering apathy from some quarters of the club’s fanbase who have vowed to not attend until he leaves, and the short turnaround from the announcement meant others didn’t have a chance to sell on their tickets. There was also a sense of business as usual - people want to be entertained with winning football and it took a while for that to unfold on the pitch yesterday.

I suspect it’ll be a mixed bag. It absolutely has to be business as usual against Atletico Madrid, with the focus on getting behind the players rather than being caught up in Wenger sentimentality - and the man himself wouldn’t want it any other way. It’s somewhat fitting that one of his send-off games could potentially be one of the biggest in his career and Arsenal’s European history, so there won’t be much attention on him per se. Our last Premier League home game against Burnley in two weeks will be the time for reflection and appreciation.

I think most fans’ perplexion about the low-key response to Wenger in the West Ham game will be flipped on its head. The ground should be absolutely packed - the box office crashed with a rush to get the last remaining tickets following his announcement - and people will be aware they are watching something that will go down in English football history: Arsene Wenger’s last home game for Arsenal. I’m certain there’ll be all sorts of fan displays, tributes, chanting and all the rest - it will be Arsene’s day every bit as it appeared not to be yesterday. It wouldn’t surprise me if he gave a speech to the crowd, which he hasn’t done before, or the club announced longer-term plans such as a statue of renamed stand in his honour.

I believe all fans are enormously grateful for what he’s given to the club, and given us in memories as a result. A small section of people who can shout the loudest into a camera shouldn’t reflect a fanbase of millions. But we can all likely agree on the fact it’s time to go in a different direction. Yes, yesterday’s atmosphere was disappointing but such is Wenger’s character, he doesn’t want to be the centre of attention anyway, so he may even have been slightly relieved - plus there is still a job to do this season. Let’s give Wenger what he really wants - a united support behind the team - and get to the Europa League final and see if we can give Wenger the send-off he really deserves. Although one thing is for sure: his Emirates farewell is going to be a momentous and emotional occasion. That will be an occasion worth turning up - and tuning in - for.