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Arsene Wenger has called on a section of disgruntled Arsenal fans to stop disrespecting his players.
The Gunners boss came under fire from a small group of shareholders at a meeting last week in which individual team members were criticised - with Mikael Silvestre, for example, being branded "geriatric". Arsenal supporters are planning a huge show of support for Wenger on Sunday and the 59-year-old has urged the fans to unite behind a squad he believes is progressing despite four trophy-less seasons.
Speaking publicly for the first time since the stormy meeting, Wenger said: "There are two things in our job. Criticism I accept with respect. Disrespect, I don't accept and I don't respect.
"Maybe one day you will have worked 25 years in the media and people will claim you don't understand anything in your job. Maybe they will be right but you have to distance yourself from that.
"I accept everyone's opinion but what was not enjoyable in that meeting was that it was disrespectful to some players and I don't accept that. No matter even if you lose 38 games on the trot I won't accept that."
Wenger was linked with a move to Real Madrid earlier this week and although he reaffirmed his commitment to Arsenal, he refused to deny the Spanish giants had been in touch.
"I don't want to talk about that because that is endless," he said. "I might write a book one day about all the contacts I have and if you are interested in it I am happy to offer it to you. But I don't think I will ever write it.
“I believe I have always shown my commitment to this club. I cannot deny every noise or contact I have. My commitment is as it ever was and if one day it changes, then I will inform you.”
Cesc Fabregas was this morning cleared of all charges relating to the spitting accusations that centred on the Gunners' FA Cup quarter-final victory over Hull in March.
Wenger has always maintained his captain is innocent and he added: “It is relief because personally I always believed he was innocent. That it has been confirmed by the FA is very good news for us.
“They are free to do what they want. I have said from the start we will always be available to give the evidence we have and will not stand in the way of any enquiry. That's what we did.
“You have to respect that if the FA comes out and says there is nothing about the whole enquiry to punish Fabregas, then we have to respect that as well.”
The Gunners boss also hinted his summer budget could be bigger than the £15million that was widely reported.
As Standard Sport revealed yesterday, the probably sale of Emmanuel Adebayor could swell his war chest to around £50m.
The Frenchman, whose team end their season at home to Stoke on Sunday, added: “You have never heard me complain about the money that was available.
“But I do not accept that people think I am stupid enough to have £100m at my disposal and just put it in the bank because I am afraid to spend that. I do with what I have as well as I can and I do not complain. If I tell you I have £250m to spend, every player I call will cost three times more.”
Reader views (3)
Respect isn't a right. It is something that is given, not demanded. While many die-hard fans might think CFC have done all they need for respect, it isn't a requirement that others agree with them.
If they EARN that elusive respect then even opposing fans and clubs WILL respect them. Until such time as this happens, AW will have to live with some criticism, both personal and of his players.
- Rogan, Irving
Mr Wenger needs to bring in a few quality players this Summer to strengthen the centre-back and defensive midfield positions.
If he doesn't then the problem of a few fans being disrespectful is going to turn into even more fans becoming disrespectful.
Whether it's because Arsenal have no money or whether Mr Wenger is too stubborn to change, it no longer matters.
The fact is that the Club must be seen to strengthen the squad this Summer then we will be very happy.
- Harry Jones, Barnet
As Arsenal fans we have tremendous respect for the majority of the players, but it is very disappointing when certain players court other teams interest in them, usually in an attempt to increase their salary. We are also irritated by players who cite a lack of success as a reason to move on. Surely, its the players themselves who fail to win anything & they must accept a proportion of the blame.
- Rob Gooooner, North London
