Wenger fights back: "I'm not bothered at all by all this speculation, not at all"
Published 23:12 20/09/11 By John Cross
Furious Arsene Wenger has come out fighting with a stinging response to questions about his future.
Wenger insisted he was 'not bothered' about getting a dreaded vote of confidence from chief executive Ivan Gazidis.
Wenger won't be fired or quit says Arsenal chief exec
Under-pressure Wenger was even more dismissive when quizzed about whether he should bring in the likes of Arsenal legends Tony Adams and Martin Keown in to coach his leaky defence.
"I've just completed 32 years of coaching," he snapped. "I don't want to answer this kind of question."
Wenger looked even more annoyed when Gazidis' comments were put to him after last night's Carling Cup win over Shrewsbury.
The Arsenal manager clearly feels his record since taking charge in 1996 puts his future beyond question and his position should not be a matter for debate.
Wenger, looking visibly angry at questions over his future, said: "Whether I work here for the next 10 years for the club or the next day, I will let others assess the situation. I focus on doing well for the club.
"And I must tell you something, I'm not bothered at all by all this speculation, not at all.
"My record? I have just managed 14 years at this club and I have kept them 14 years in the Champions League and I wish it lasts another 14 years.
"I am completely focused on doing well. I can understand that people are unhappy and criticise but you know as well as I know people are very quick to go overboard.
"I accept critics and I do not say it doesn't matter that people criticise us. I prefer it, like anybody else, when they say I am good. But you cannot complain when you lose a game and you are criticised.
"When we do well, we take all the plaudits, so we have to take all the blame when it doesn't go as well.
"When it goes well we must not completely believe what people say and when it does not go as well, we must not completely believe it."
Wenger clearly did not believe Gazidis needed to make his remarks even though the Arsenal chief executive was fully supportive and insisted the manager would never quit.
Arsenal 3-1 Shrewsbury: Shrews are tamed (eventually) - Carling Cup match report by John Cross
Tweet my Goal! The funniest comments from Tuesday's Carling Cup ties





