Gunners wounded and wound up by hurting Wenger

ARSENE WENGER is convinced there will be a positive reaction from his Arsenal players after their dismal display at White Hart Lane a week ago.

Wenger knows the 2-0 defeat could have been far worse – and says the players are hurting as much as the fans.

The supporters expressed their frustration at the tame surrender and the Gunners boss voiced his dissatisfaction in a closed-door meeting with his squad last week.

Wenger expects a response from his men in the clash with Manchester United at the Emirates this afternoon.

“The players have been hurt by the results and the performances,” he said.

United may field an understrength United, after Thursday’s 1-0 Europa League semi-final first-leg win against Celta Vigo.

Wenger’s arch-enemy Jose Mourinho has already said the competition is now his priority because it brings Champions League football to the winners.

But Wenger is more concerned with his own men, saying: “They are focused on the next game. We know we must achieve.”

Qualifying for the Champions League now appears a forlorn hope, but Arsenal do have a place in the FA Cup Final against Chelsea and Wenger is looking for a winning finale to the season.

He said: “We have got a cup final to prepare for and must look to win our league games until the end of the season to be in with a chance of being in the top four. They are focused.

“People feel it doesn’t mean enough when you don’t win. That is not true. You are not at this level where you think it doesn’t matter to win or not. It matters for the players – and they care.” Now, Wenger wants to use the limp performance at Spurs as a stepping stone rather than a stumbling block.

He said: “We must use the frustration and transform it into positive energy.”

Wenger is tempted to start with Danny Welbeck against the striker’s old club to give more movement and mobility rather than use the target man qualities of

Olivier Giroud, who was anonymous at Spurs.

And there may also be a place for Theo Walcott.

The Frenchman could revamp his central defence, with Rob Holding restored alongside Laurent Koscielny (above) and fit-again Shkodran Mustafi in a back three. Gabriel and Nacho Monreal were alongside Koscielny at White Hart Lane, but in constant disarray against Tottenham’s attack.

But Wenger made it clear he is not one to be over critical of his players in public – a ploy often used by Mourinho.

“I cannot always say to the players, ‘We are all in the same boat now and in this together to achieve something’ and then jump out of the boat and say, ‘It is your fault now’. And then when it goes well take the credit.

“You are in a position where you have to be part of it and fight for them when it doesn’t go well. That is part of management. You have to control what you say.”