ARSENAL boss Arsene Wenger has blamed West Ham fans' recent hooliganism for setting back the safe-standing movement.
Arsene Wenger is in favour of bringing back standing areas in English football which were banned at major grounds in the 1990s.
However, West Ham's recent crowd trouble at the London Stadium - some of which has been over fans' right to stand - has raised questions over safety.
And Wenger believes the Hammers supporters' protests are having a detrimental impact on getting standing returned to the game.
"Personally I'm in favour of the resurgence of standing opportunities behind the goals," Wenger said.
"But that [West Ham fan trouble] is not a very good advert to come back to standing opportunities for people in the stand."
"I am surprised and hopefully West Ham will get rid of the problem very quickly.
West Ham and Chelsea fans clash during EFL Cup derby
Thu, October 27, 2016West Ham United and Chelsea supporters were involved in violent scenes at the London Stadium last night as the home side progressed through to the quarter-finals of the EFL Cup
A Chelsea supporter is spotted taunting West Ham United fans during the EFL Cup clash at the London Stadium last night
"Yeah of course [the violence is a setback]. It's against it completely and gives an argument for people who are against it."
Wednesday’s EFL Cup clash between West Ham and Chelsea was the first derby at the London stadium and saw some of the worst violence.
Hundreds of fans clashed leading to six arrests, with three supporters being charged.
Arsenal travel to the London Stadium on December 3, which will be the second London derby at the ground
However, Wenger insisted he had “no concerns" about making the trip.
And the Frenchman said the scenes in midweek were not a return to the dark days of "hooliganism" in English football.