‘When he goes back to winning, the fans will be happy again – I promise’

MOST Arsenal supporters may want him out – but Arsene Wenger still has one staunch fan in Pep Guardiola.

The Manchester City boss has made an impassioned defence of Wenger ahead of tomorrow’s clash at the Emirates, insisting he can yet win disgruntled Gooners back.

Guardiola claims fans need to understand how tough it is to win the Premier League or Champions League.

And he says if Wenger signs a new contract to carry on beyond this season it will be because he feels it is best for Arsenal.

“When he goes back to winning, the fans will be happy again,” said Guardiola. “I promise you, 100 per cent.

“The Premier League is not easy to win, but I’m pretty sure the fans respect a lot what Arsene Wenger has done and is doing.

“People should understand how difficult football is today, all the teams are more prepared.

“When the bosses decide, or Arsene decides, to stay and keep going he believes it is the best solution and the best for Arsenal.

“The players judge what they see every day in the training sessions and how we are.

“But for the fans it depends on results not something else.” Arsenal fans want Wenger out because they are angry at seeing another season disintegrate on the back of a disastrous run of six defeats in nine games. Two of their three wins in that time were against non-league opposition in the FA Cup and 78 per cent of Arsenal Supporters Trust members polled want the Frenchman out.

Guardiola claims Wenger should be treated with more respect, saying he would not have lasted 21 years at Arsenal if he were not successful.

“A manger like Arsene, who’s had a lot of years in one team, is so important,” said the Spaniard.

“You cannot stay that long without ability. Mikel Arteta, who was with him for a lot of years, has only has good words about Arsene. I believe more in that.

“Managers lose games. He’s been there a long time because he’s good. If not, it could not happen.”

Guardiola is wary of City suffering a backlash at the Emirates and claimed he would prefer to face Arsenal in better form.

When asked if tomorrow is a good time to play them, he replied: “No. When you lose a lot of games, it’s a dangerous moment.

“I would prefer to take on Arsenal after a lot of wins.

“Everybody knows them. They have good quality in the middle, good quality on the sides with Alexis going inside, runs in behind with Theo Walcott, Alex OxladeChamberlain. Good quality. Arsenal are a top team.”

Guardiola, who confirmed that Gabriel Jesus will return for City before the end of the season from a broken metatarsal, knows victory would greatly boost City’s Champions League hopes while dealing a blow to Arsenal’s.

“Definitely with these kind of games between two big teams, when one team wins they can have big hopes,” he added.