EXCLUSIVE
Arsenal fans' 'exodus' near the end of their loss to Aston Villa has been branded as a 'disgrace' by Noel Gallagher.
But ex-Gunners star Perry Groves has stood up for his former club's supporters, explaining why it's not surprising a majority of them upped and left after Leon Bailey and Ollie Watkins' strikes.
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Former Oasis star and lifelong Manchester City fan Gallagher watched the Gunners supporters pile out of the Emirates in their numbers as they conceded in the 84th and 87th minute, eventually losing 2-0.
It was a game Mikel Arteta's side couldn't afford to lose, with them needing to stay toe-to-toe with Premier League title rivals Manchester City and Liverpool.
But despite Gunners fans' obvious disappointment, Gallagher has been left baffled by them turning their backs on their side when there was still time in the game to salvage a result.
Speaking on talkSPORT Drive, he said: "The thing about those lot is - Arsenal fans - when that stadium emptied yesterday, that's a disgrace. That's a disgrace.
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"They were 1-0 down with ten minutes left, you're going for the title and the exodus started.
"I was watching it and thinking, 'My god, that's outrageous'. It's outrageous!
"I took great pleasure in watching the [Arsenal fan] YouTube videos last night and the word 'disgusting' is used a lot with these Arsenal fans [saying] 'it's a disgusting performance'.
"You know, they weren't that bad."
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But whilst Gallagher can't understand Gunners fans leaving the stadium in their side's time of need, one ex-Arsenal star hasn't seen it that way.
Speaking about the fans leaving after the loss on Sunday, Perry Groves told talkSPORT: "I get it. Look, it's a Sunday, you've just seen your team..."
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Interjecting, Sam Matterface questioned whether it being a Sunday was really an excuse, to which Groves replied: "They want to get their trains home, I get it.
"As a fan look, Arsenal fans will take stick from other fans, but that's what happens.
"If it's 1-0 then I go, 'OK, you should stay in your spot'. But I'm not going to have a go at Arsenal fans for vacating the Emirates."
One supporter that was at the game actually shared a similar view to Gallagher, though.
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Arsenal fan Guy joined talkSPORT Drive on Monday and was asked for his take on supporters heading for the exit way before the final whistle.
He said: "They've kept banging on all season about the connection between club and fans. But I think the last two games have proved that that's pie in the sky nonsense.
"You know, 10 minutes to go, 2-0 down, fans were just streaming out. That's when the team need the fans behind them."
He added: "I think it's wrong, the players need the fans when they're going through the hard times. Proper fans, not plastic ones, not like the plastic flags they wave around.
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"I think everybody who walked out should be ashamed of themselves. The place was empty. The team needed the fans behind them."
The Gunners weren't the only ones to hand City the advantage in the three-horse title race.
Liverpool also suffered a shock loss against Crystal Palace, with the Reds unable to cancel out Eberechi Eze's early goal and losing 1-0.
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Man City, meanwhile, beat Luton 5-1 and are now two points clear with six games to go.
Arsenal will be looking to bounce back to winning ways when they face Wolves at Molineux this Saturday.