Arsene Wenger under fire as fans demand answers

Wenger was clearly taken aback at a question-and-answer session organised by Arsenal's shareholders and snapped when one described Mikael Silvestre as a "geriatric".

"I cannot accept that you speak about the players of your club like that," retorted the Gunners boss. "You are attacking the players and that is much worse than attacking me."

But the ire of the shareholders did not stop at criticising the acquisition of the former Manchester United defender while allowing Philippe Senderos to leave the club on loan.

Supporters were also upset that Wenger had let five international midfielders leave in the space of 12 months without replacing any of them; opted not to pick Andrey Arshavin for the FA Cup semi-final when he was cup tied in Europe; failed to insist on his players acknowledging away fans after defeats; failed to address his side's vulnerability at set-pieces; consistently played his midfielders out of position; turned a blind eye to the diving of Emmanuel Adebayor and Emmanuel Eboue and assembled a squad which lacks a natural captain in the mould of Patrick Vieira or Tony Adams.

Wenger promised that he will try to address the problem by spending money if he has to this summer. He is believed to have already sounded out Atletico Madrid over a deal to sign former Manchester United striker Diego Forlan as he tries to win a trophy next season for the first time since the FA Cup in 2005.

But Wenger, who has been in charge at Arsenal since 1997, was clearly upset at the attacks on his players.

He added: "It is easy to sit in the stand and say that they are not up for the fight. What they have done in this season in a negative environment shows what they can do.

"There is a massive difference between the away fans, who are absolutely fantastic, and the home ones. It is always that negative way of thinking, that the players do not care. If we do not get there next year then I am responsible and will stand up for it. But what this team needs is people who are fans of the club.

"Many times people are upset when the players have gone. Some players have good periods or bad periods. If they don't do well it is because they have lost confidence. But the only way to help a guy who has lost confidence is to support him.

But by slaughtering him it does not help. We have had negative vibes and manipulation around the team. It is very hard work to keep the confidence and energy demands because we had to support the team against the odds."

Wenger also revealed he would let Adebayor leave for one of his main rivals. If the Togo international does go to Chelsea, Forlan could be his replacement.

Sources close to the Uruguayan confirmed the Gunners made a tentative enquiry but were told they will have to match the £32million buy-out clause in his contract.

Although Atletico president Enrique Cerezo remains confident they will hang on to the 29-year-old, Forlan has indicated a willingness to leave this summer.

It is thought Forlan feels he has a point to prove in the Premier League after scoring just 17 goals in 98 appearances for United before joining Villarreal in 2004.

The forward has resurrected his career in Spain and is in stunning form for Atletico this season having netted 27 times in La Liga.