Arsenal boss hits out at critics and praises Manchester United

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has been speaking to the press ahead of this weekend’s Premier League clash with Manchester United and was in a fiery mood after a shock Champions League defeat to Olympiakos on Tuesday.

The Gunners head into this weekend’s match-up with their European campaign hanging by a thread, as Arsenal have lost the first two Champions League group matches for the first-time under the long-serving French manager.

Wenger was grilled by the press on his decision to rest Petr Cech for the game but responded valiantly, as he defended David Ospina.

“I did not hear one pundit analysing the game. They all hid behind the same point. None of them used any figures.”

“If you leave the game thinking the defeat is down to playing Ospina then I question your knowledge in the game.”

Wenger’s assessment on the game is right as the defeat was an all-around issue, rather than coming down to one mistake. All three goals that Arsenal conceded were avoidable and the whole team must take responsibility for the result.

He admitted his frustration at the defeat to Olympiakos but stated they will strive to learn from the disappointment.

“We learn from victory and we learn from defeat. The disappointment is that it’s happened before.”

Attention then shifted to this weekend’s crunch-tie with current Premier League leaders Manchester United, who have bounced-back from criticisms in the early stages of the season to win their last four domestic matches.

Wenger stated he was not surprised to see United thriving under Louis Van Gaal but indicated there is still a long way to go in the title race.

“The experience Van Gaal has in his career, it is no surprise Manchester United are doing well,”

“At the moment it is tight and difficult to say who will dominate the championship,” says the Arsenal manager. You can’t come to a conclusion yet.”

Arsenal tackle United on Sunday afternoon, where a victory would see the Gunners draw level on points with their domestic rivals.