Criticise me but let’s also get real
ARSENE WENGER says he does not take personally that the fans are calling for his head – because he hates himself more when Arsenal lose.
“I’m like everybody – I prefer to be loved than hated, but I can take a distance with that,” he said.
“I know as well it’s not the person itself, it is the fact the manager does not win the games. They want to win and I can make a difference in that.
“I don’t take it too personally. In fact, I personally hate myself – the manager – more than anybody when I don’t win the games. I’m a very bad loser.”
In his defence, he added: “If you don’t win the championship, the FA Cup, the Champions League, then it’s absolutely disastrous.
“But if you look back in the last three years, we have won the FA Cup twice and finished second, third and fourth in the league.
“We’re in the FA Cup final again. Overall, I believe we are not happy because these days you want to win everything.
“But you have to accept that Real Madrid have not won their championship for five years. It’s difficult.”
Wenger faces his old foe Jose Mourinho on Sunday when Manchester United visit. He has never beaten the Portuguese in 12 Premier League meetings.
He is still yet to announce whether he will sign a new contract when his current deal expires at the end of the season.
Arsenal’s form has been indifferent and they are in danger of finishing outside the top four for the first time since Wenger arrived in 1996.
They have not won the league since 2004.
But Wenger said: “Liverpool haven’t won the league for more than 20 years. Just because you turn up doesn’t mean you win.”