Wenger hits back at critics after 4-1 win over Stoke
london — Arsene Wenger dismissed protests from Arsenal fans seeking his removal as manager and called on his players to focus instead on the club’s push for Champions League football next season.
An emphatic 4-1 win at Stoke kept the Gunners in contention for a top four finish and a 21st consecutive season of elite European football.
But while Wenger’s name was sung out heartily by supporters inside Stoke’s stadium early in the game a plane flew overhead carrying a banner calling for the Frenchman not to return next season.
“When you say fans, who do you mean? The rich ones?” said Wenger when asked for his reaction.
“Look, I am paid to do my job for the club I love and I will do that as long as I’m here with full commitment. I’m not influenced by that at all, all I do is give my best.
“We have 69 points today so let’s make 72 on Tuesday and after that I will give my best for as long as I’m here for the values of this club and for the club. “I want to focus on football and the rest is less important. I’m not in politics. I’m in sport, I love sport and give my 24 hours a day for what I love. I am in a public job, some agree with me, some not.”
Earlier in the day, reports in France had even suggested that Wenger has already agreed a oneyear deal to remain in charge at the Emirates, but the 67-year-old refused to confirm or deny the claim.
“There’s no information about that,” said Wenger. “Nothing.”
Meanwhile, Wenger said that Arsenal’s ‘fighting spirit’ has returned after the emphatic 4-1 win on Saturday. “We had a difficult week playing Sunday, Wednesday and Saturday. We had three wins in a very convincing way so the focus is there, the desire to play together is there and the fighting spirit is there and of course we are very pleased for that,” Wenger told the BBC. Arsenal have struggled at the home of the abrasive Potters, not winning there since 2010, therefore the manner of victory was particularly impressive with a controlled defensive performance setting the foundations for their scintillating attack.
They controlled the game and led 2-0 through stylish goals from Oliver Giroud and Mesut Ozil before Peter Crouch pulled one back — with his hand — to set up a potentially nervous finish.
The atmosphere inside Stoke’s famed Britannia Stadium ramped up and many would have been forgiven for expecting the Gunners usual frailties to come to the fore.
Instead the mercurial Alexis Sanchez and Giroud added further goals to secure an impressive victory for the fast-finishing Gunners.
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“I believe when the team plays well we have individual talent and of course that always benefits from it,” Wenger added. — AFP/Reuters