Wenger demands 'face-to-face' showdown with Arsenal chief as the pressure

 

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger wants to discuss recent comments made by shareholder Amisher Usmanov ahead of a crucial week for the Gunners.

Usmanov claimed he was unhappy with some of Wenger’s decision making, but the Frenchman has hit back with the opinion that any criticism should be kept in-house at the Emirates.
Wenger was disappointed by the comments that have taken the focus away from tonight’s major Champions League clash with Borussia Dortmund somewhat.
The Gunners will qualify should they beat Jurgen Klopp’s side, however a defeat would leave their fate on thin ice with a tricky trip to Galatasaray to come.
Wenger wants to sit and discuss issues ‘face-to-face’ with anyone who is unhappy, and doesn’t want any Arsenal chief running to a newspaper to express their concern.
“Do you really think you can do 30 years in my job and not take criticism? If I couldn’t take criticism, I would not still be (here) any more,” said Wenger.
“Everybody has the right to have an opinion, having said that, we have values at this club.
“The first one is when we go through a difficult patch, we show solidarity. That is a very important one.

“The second one is that, when you have something to say to each other, we say it face-to-face. We don’t need to go to the newspapers.
“I don’t take (Usmanov’s comments) personally at all. It is an opinion that I respect, but when you are from this club, you are from this club. You are in or out, you cannot be both.”
“Do you like that everybody says that you are stupid? That is part of it, you learn to cope with it, you believe in what you think is right,” he said.
“I am just frustrated and sad that people who love this club do not get the results they deserve and want.
“The players put so much energy in and don’t get rewarded. That is my biggest concern, the criticism... that is part of it.”