• Premier League

Wenger stays focused despite criticism

ESPNsoccernet staff
September 21, 2011
Arsene Wenger has endured a difficult start to the season © PA Photos
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Arsene Wenger insists he "is not bothered at all" by the continued speculation about his future at Arsenal.

Wenger guided the Gunners into the fourth round of the Carling Cup with a 3-1 win over Shrewsbury on Tuesday night, after receiving the full backing of chief executive Ivan Gazidis in the wake of a disappointing run of results, including Saturday's 4-3 capitulation at struggling Blackburn.

The questions surrounding the Frenchman's future again surfaced when James Collins headed the League Two side ahead after 16 minutes.

However, England defender Kieran Gibbs levelled before the break with his first senior goal, before the lively Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain fired in a 25-yard effort on the hour and Yossi Benayoun wrapped things up late on.

Despite the criticism, Wenger again stated he has no intentions of letting anything shift his focus from getting the club back on track.

"I am not bothered at all by this speculation. I am completely focused on doing well," he said.

"I can understand that people are unhappy and criticise, but you know as well as I know people are very quick to go overboard.

"When we do well we take all the plaudits, so we have to take as well all the blame when it doesn't go as well - but we have as well on both sides to take some distance.

"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."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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