Positive Leicester support provides a contrast with Arsenal

Leicester City's title hopes were dented by their draw against West Bromwich Albion on Wednesday, but just as manager Claudio Ranieri remained upbeat, so were the Foxes' supporters, who have been credited with spurring their side on to unexpected heights this season.

Their behaviour was hailed by BBC pundit Joey Barton, who noted that, when Leicester fell behind in the first half, "the first thing all the fans around us did was stand up and cheer the team on".

He added that their response had been a "huge factor" in Leicester getting what he called a "positive result".

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Barton contrasted that with the attitude of other fans, particularly those of the more established clubs, who appear to lose heart and turn on their teams at the drop of a hat.

Talking before the match, he picked out Arsenal in particular, whose support has become notoriously fickle, and he may have a point: it is hard to imagine that the Emirates' support would have cheered the team off had the Gunners just dropped two points in the title race against West Brom at home.

Manager Arsene Wenger has come under heavy fire after back-to-back losses against Barcelona and Manchester United, but Barton said: "Arsenal fans have to be as culpable as the team sometimes because they're quick to turn on the manager and very quick to boo."

Even fans on Twitter agree and have taken issue with the attitude of many this season.

Gunners fans are also quick to take issue with the referee, notes Metro. It reports that many Arsenal supporters, watching what was otherwise a hugely entertaining game, were incensed after Leicester defender Christian Fuchs escaped punishment for a dangerous tackle on West Brom's Stephane Sessegnon.

"Several Gunners supporters even complained to the FA," notes the paper. "It appears things are getting a little desperate after Arsene Wenger's side lost to an inexperienced Manchester United on Sunday afternoon."

In offering unwavering support to their team, even when the stakes are at their highest and luck is against them, Leicester supporters are bucking a trend that has been noticeable for some time.

Writing after the first weekend of the season, Paul Hayward of the Daily Telegraph noted a "rash of early booing" among supporters. "The growing estrangement of many fans from their teams ought to be a concern to Premier League clubs," he said.

"The conversion of fans into customers or consumers may be weakening the old tribal bonds between terrace and team. Booing used to be a sanction of last resort at many grounds. Now it is an accepted part of the 'match day experience', as a marketing department might put it."