Defiant Wenger will not resign despite ‘humiliation’

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger looks on during the Barclays Premier League match against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Saturday in Manchester, England. (GETTY)

Published Monday, August 29, 2011

By Agencies

Arsene Wenger will not throw in the towel in the wake of what he admitted was a “humiliating” 8-2 defeat for Arsenal at Manchester United.

Wayne Rooney scored a hat-trick as the Gunners were condemned to their worst loss since they conceded eight goals against Loughborough in 1896.

It was United’s biggest win over their old rivals, sending them above Manchester City at the top of the Premier League, while Arsenal now languish only a place outside the bottom three, with just a single point.

Already under pressure following the exits of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri, Wenger was condemned by Arsenal old-boy Paul Merson, who criticised his old mentor on TV.

It is likely the Frenchman will face further fire. But he is adamant he will not walk away.

“No,” said Wenger, when asked if he would quit.

“Of course it hurts. It’s humiliating.

“But you could see we had not recovered physically from Wednesday. They had class and they punished us.”

The memories of Wednesday’s fine performance against Udinese were banished by this record landslide, though, which will at the very least bring renewed calls for new faces.

Wenger said Korean striker Park Chu-yong could be confirmed as an Arsenal player later in the day.

However, it seemed his defence and midfield were in more urgent need of strengthening, although Wenger feels the absence of so many regular members of his first-choice XI was a key factor.

“We had too many players out. It was too much,” he said.

“We were poor defensively but there were points in the game where we had quality.

“I just feel we collapsed more physically than anything.

“It is better not to talk too much about this because it hurts.

“We have to sort out our problems because, so far, we haven’t managed to do that.

“We are working very hard to find players but of course we are behind the other teams when it comes to wages.”

Efforts to sign Bolton’s Gary Cahill will continue, with Wenger confirming Arsenal need a defender and a midfield player.

And while the search continues, he is ready to take any criticism.

“I am in a public job and I have to accept that,” Wenger said.

“I have to make the right decision for the club and I will continue to that.

“We have played three games and I think you should give me more time to say if I have got it completely wrong.”

Also speaking after the game, former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson suggested the departure of David Dein had been the catalyst for Arsenal’s slump.

The club’s former vice-chairman, Dein was a close ally of Wenger’s and assisted him in recruiting a number of big-name signings prior to his departure in 2007.

“They miss David Dein,” Merson said. “Since he went out, it’s gone down.

“He was someone to do the signings, someone to talk to. David Dein was part of it when they signed the (Marc) Overmars, (Emmanuel) Petit, (Patrick) Vieira and (Thierry) Henry.

“Since David Dein went, the players haven’t been like that. Arsenal is a saga, haggling over money for players, making it (deals) last three days.

“Sir Alex Ferguson will be sitting on a beach next week. Wenger will be in his office trying to sign a player.”

The former England midfielder did give his backing to Wenger, though, and encouraged him to make strides in the transfer market before the window closes on Wednesday.

“I would never get rid of Arsene Wenger,” he said.

“They (the fans) have got to remember that if you get what you wish for it doesn’t always work.

“They have got to buy one or two centre-halves, a central midfielder and a centre forward. You win stuff through the middle.”