Arsene Wenger has dismissed renewed calls for him to leave Arsenal after the Gunners thrashed Hull City to reach the FA Cup quarter-finals.
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They are 2-0 down against Barcelona before the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie against Barcelona next week.
Having gone into the game missing centre-back Laurent Koscielny through injury, Arsenal then lost fellow defender Per Mertesacker during the first half due to a cut head, Brazilian stopper Gabriel in the second half with a muscle problem, and midfielder Aaron Ramsey later in the game.
With doubts over Per Mertesacker, Gabriel and Aaron Ramsey after all three sustained injuries during the match, Arsenal will continue to face scrutiny from fans as they grow restless over the elusive Premier League title.
“Arsene, thanks for the memories but it’s time to say goodbye” read one banner that was held aloft in the away end towards the end of the match.
Walcott had the ball in the net inside the first three minutes but Hull, who struggled to get an early touch, were saved by the offside flag.
Walcott also recorded a late brace with two splendid goals coming in the 77th and 88th minute, firstly with a neat finish off his right boot off a Joel Campbell assist, then a low, driven shot to the keeper’s left after receiving a pass from Alex Iwobi. “I don’t want to speak about that, it’s always the same story”, Wenger, now in his 20th year in charge, said, brushing off the fans’ protest.
The Egyptian has made a handful of appearances in the FA Cup and last week he was handed his full Premier League debut as he started in the crucial north London derby against Tottenham.
“I’d like to keep what was said among ourselves but it was very important”.
Defeat for Hull, meanwhile, sees them slip out of the FA Cup at the hands of the Gunners for the third season in succession, although they now have the chance to focus on their push for promotion from the Sky Bet Championship.
Speaking on BT Sport, where he is a pundit, Wright said he was “disappointed” that the fans had displayed the banner after a good win.
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Arsenal will have the opportunity to book an FA Cup semi-final berth when they take on Watford on Sunday. I do my job, look at the history, I have nothing to be scared of.
