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The hardest EPL clubs to support in 2015-16
Dave Blackmore
Roar Rookie
8th March, 2016
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Arsene Wenger has departed Arsenal. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
Dave Blackmore
Roar Rookie
8th March, 2016
3

The 2015-16 English Premier League season has been one of momentous highs and crashing lows.

We have seen the rise of the Foxes as Leicester City sit atop the pile and the fall of juggernauts as Chelsea went from champions to a possible relegation scrap.

While it is easy to look at the top of the table to see who it is easiest to support in the Premier League at the moment, it is worth looking at the hardships endured by supporters of clubs that are underperforming.

In fan culture it is always about bragging rights, but if we, as football fans, should show pity on any supporters who should it be?

A few candidates stand out.

Bottom of the table Aston Villa are the easiest target. The Villains are now on the cusp of their first season outside the top division of England since the inception of the Premier League.

It is hard to imagine looking at the team now that they were one of the founding members of the league and hold a European Cup in their trophy case.

We should feel for Villa supporters as this is a shock, but in equal measure this may be the wake-up call this once great side needs. They have been on the slide for many years now and a season in the second tier may be necessary for owner Randy Lerner and his board.

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Second from bottom Newcastle are also worth a shout for the division’s unluckiest fans. The Magpies are in dire straits and no matter how many French imports are brought to St James’ Park they cannot seem to bring themselves up in the division.

In much a similar way to Aston Villa, though, the writing has been on the wall for the Toon Army. All they can hope is that the Championship will smack some sense into Mike Ashley and he may run the club properly.

Sunderland are in trouble, Swansea have fallen from prosperity, Chelsea were not the team Jose Mourinho took to the title last year and Manchester United have been putting their fans to sleep the entire season.

None of the above have been the most difficult to support though as constant lows have been a reminder of what they should be.

The toughest supporters, the ones that have had to endure the most, are the ones that are once again staring down the barrel of the Champions League third qualification round.

The hardest team to support this year must be Arsenal.

In touching distance of the title but with very little realistic hope of reaching it must seem like deja vu for supporters at the Emirates.

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Once again we get to the pointy end of the season and the battle cry of #WengerOut rings around social media.

True Arsenal fans will remember the greatness of yesteryear. The Invincibles of 2003-04 still live in the memory and the Champions League final of 2005-06 is still to be cherished.

But now, and for too long, Arsenal fans have seen their team on the cusp of glory. For too long they seem to be in arm’s length of the title only for their team to bottle it at the end.

Do not mock Arsenal fans, pity them, have mercy on Wenger’s charges.

The Gunners will seemingly forever be there or thereabouts. For onlookers it could seem almost comical that a team can constantly sit in the top four and yet never reach the pinnacle, but it is torture for the fans.

Head up, Gooners, one day you will finally have #WengerOut and when that day comes maybe you will taste Premier League glory again.

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