Don’t ignore magnificent seven

ARSENE WENGER has come out fighting amid fresh criticism of his Arsenal reign. The Gunners manager has faced a backlash from fans and pundits after selecting a weakened side who crashed out of the FA Cup at Nottingham Forest on Sunday. It was the first time in Wenger’s 21-year tenure that his side had lost in the third round. But Wenger, who has lifted the trophy a record seven times, launched a staunch defence of his proud record. He said: “Nobody has won the FA Cup more than I did, but still it is seen as an absolute disaster. You have to say I’ve won the FA Cup seven times and on top of that people are always scandalised.

“Get somebody to win it more and then I’ll say, ‘OK, well done’. But nobody in the whole history of English football won it more, so I always took the competition in a serious way.

“I am unhappy to go out? Of course, but you must accept as well that there’s no guarantee you will win it every year. The fans are disappointed and have an emotional reaction, which is normal and what you have to accept.

“You want the fans to be happy – that is what you work for. Everybody wants to win the cup.”

Meanwhile, Arsenal plan to fine Alex Iwobi for breaking the club’s 48-hour curfew to attend a birthday party.

Iwobi, who played the whole game at Forest, was pictured partying at 2am on Saturday. Wenger said: “If it is true, he’ll be fined, it’s impossible to go out before the game, it’s unacceptable. I will see him to see if it’s right or not.”