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Wenger claims backing of most Arsenal fans

Arsene Wenger was heavily criticised by a group of Arsenal fans on the weekend © Getty Images

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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has claimed the supporters who barracked him with chants of 'you don't know what you're doing' at Aston Villa last weekend were not expressing the views of a majority of the club's fans.

Wenger suggested the "extreme views" of a few supporters has been given unnecessary prominence in the media since Saturday's 0-0 draw at Villa Park and he has defended his record as Arsenal manager.

"Extreme opinions are picked and sold as if they are the majority view, which is not the case always," Wenger said. "That means those who shout the loudest are usually presented because they are interesting and easy to sell, but they do not represent the majority of opinions.

"I can understand that some fans are not happy when you play 0-0 at Aston Villa because I am not happy. I want to win the game as well, but I do not believe that everyone thinks like the minority."

Wenger has insisted he sets his goals at realistic levels, while suggesting his side realised their full potential by claiming a top three finish in the Premier League last May.

"Honestly I don't think there was much more in the team than finishing third last season," he said. "My pride came from maximising potential. Like when we won the Premier League with zero defeats, which never anybody else has done, you can think there is not much room to do much better.

"At the end of the season, I want to stand in front of my mirror and think, 'could you have done more?' I would like to think I have done all I can."

Wenger has joined those applauding the achievements of David Moyes at Everton, while pointing out that his own spending in recent years has not been too dissimilar from the Toffees ahead of the trip to Goodison Park.

"Of course I admire him [Moyes], but I can show you our balance over the last 16 years and you would be astonished," he said. "What Everton have done on a limited budget is remarkable, but we have not spent too much more than them and have managed to maintain a high level."

Meanwhile, the Daily Mirror reports that both Theo Walcott and Bacary Sagna have been omitted from Arsenal's 2013 official calendar, fuelling suspicion that both contract rebels will be leaving the club in January.

Walcott is set to return to action against Everton on Wednesday after recovering from his shoulder injury, but his manager has confirmed "there is nothing to report" in Arsenal's attempts to tie their winger down to a new long-term contract in what is the final year of his current deal.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.