Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood has given his backing to Arsene Wenger amid calls for the Frenchman to be sacked in the wake of a disappointing loss to Blackburn.
A shock FA Cup exit means Arsenal's only hope of silverware this year is the Champions League and they face the daunting prospect of having to beat Bayern Munich to reach the quarter-finals of the competition.
Fans booed loudly as Arsenal limped out of the FA Cup with some calling for Wenger's head, but Hill-Wood insists it would be disrespectful if they were to axe someone who has brought so much success to the club.
"You have your ups and downs and we are having a bit of a down," Hill-Wood told the Daily Star. "But some of the reaction has been a bit hysterical.
"You hear clubs being criticised for sacking their manager too quickly. Now there are people out there calling for us to sack a manager who has been a huge success for 15 years.
"That does not help much. I have been extremely disappointed by some of the recent results.
"I have been an Arsenal fan for a lot longer than most so I think I know what it feels like. It hurts a lot and I am sure Arsene is hurting too.
"He is very diplomatic and calm but deep down he feels very strongly and he is as upset as anyone.
"It's not just me who is backing Arsene. (Major shareholder) Stan Kroenke is very supportive too."