Angry Wenger takes aim at critics

Arsene Wenger ... 'There are a lot of experts who are not necessarily always right.' Source: GLYN KIRK / AAP

Angered by criticism of Arsenal and claims about his future, Arsene Wenger's irritation boiled over publicly ahead of this week's UEFA Champions League showdown with Bayern Munich.

Arsenal's last chance to end a trophy drought stretching back to 2005 is in Europe after being knocked out of the FA Cup by second-tier Blackburn last weekend.

Wenger was frustrated by continued questions about that loss, and grew angrier when asked about a report claiming he is in talks about a new contract.

"That is the wrong information and I work for 16 years in England,'' Wenger said.

		P	W	D	L	GD	Pts
1	Man United	26	21	2	3	31	65
2	Man City	26	15	8	3	24	53
3	Chelsea	26	14	7	5	27	49
4	Tottenham	26	14	6	6	14	48
5	Arsenal	26	12	8	6	21	44
6	Everton	26	10	12	4	8	42
7	Liverpool	27	10	9	8	15	39
8	Swansea	27	9	10	8	4	37
9	West Brom	26	11	4	11	1	37
10	Stoke	26	7	12	7	-5	33
11	West Ham	26	8	6	12	-9	30
12	Fulham	26	7	8	11	-6	29
13	Sunderland	26	7	8	11	-6	29
14	Norwich	26	6	11	9	-15	29
15	Southampton	26	6	9	11	-9	27
16	Newcastle	26	7	6	13	-12	27
17	Aston Villa	26	5	9	12	-25	24
18	Reading	26	5	8	13	-15	23
19	Wigan	26	5	6	15	-21	21
20	QPR	26	2	11	13	-22	17

"I think I deserve a bit more credit than wrong information that has only one intention: to harm.''

Turning to one reporter, Wenger asked: "Why do you look at me?''

"Because it's your press conference,'' the reporter snapped back.

"I just thought you had given this information out,'' Wenger responded, referring to the report of contract talks.

The Frenchman is facing mounting calls from some Arsenal fans to leave the club he has managed since 1996.

"What is important is not what people say it is what happens on the pitch,'' Wenger said.

"We live in a democracy of experts and opinions, but we have to live with that and cope with that and show we have the mental strength to deal with any opinion.

"There are a lot of experts who are not necessarily always right.''

What is indisputable is Arsenal's Barclays Premier League position: fifth, 21 points behind leader Manchester United and four points behind the fourth spot to qualify for the Champions League.

The only way to qualify for Europe's elite competition for a 16th straight season could be by winning the European Cup for the first time in May.

First, though, Arsenal must negotiate the two-legged last-16 match against Bayern, which has a 15-point lead in the German title race.

"Football is about skill, intelligence and some things as well are a bit unpredictable,'' Wenger said.

We know well what is going on here. What is important is to forget what people say and focus on our strengths.''

View the original article here