Arsene Wenger unaffected by Arsenal fans' abuse

Wenger says stick from angry fans is part of football

Arsene Wenger has insisted Arsenal's fed-up fans will NEVER wear him down, writes John Cross in Istanbul.

Angry Gunners supporters booed and shouted abuse at manager Wenger and his players at Stoke railway station on Saturday night as they travelled back from their 3-2 defeat at the Britannia Stadium.

One fan filmed the incident and TV pundit Gary Lineker took to social media on Monday to call the video "disgusting, inexcusable and disrespectful."

Later though, the north Londoners' boss hit back by saying the incident will not affect him - and urged people to judge him at the end of the season.

When asked whether the fans' negativity would wear him down, Wenger said: "No. Not at all.

"We are professional footballers and football people, we have to cope with that. I am a competitive person. What is important is the next game and responding in a strong way. It is part of our job. We cannot always look for excuses."

Reflecting on the Stoke game, which saw Arsenal go behind after 19 seconds and trail 3-0 at half-time, Wenger added: "We are down. Everyone feels it. When you have a disappointment you have to respond in a strong way. You cannot guarantee you will never lose a game.

"But many teams will lose at Stoke. You have to be realistic.

"The response during the game was strong and everyone is disappointed, but the Premier League is difficult and we want to be judged at the end of the season."

Wenger, who brings back full-back Mathieu Debuchy for his first start in three months following ankle surgery, also appeared to ask his critics to show more respect for his achievements.

"This is my 180th Champions League game and that shows something," said the 65-year-old Frenchman. "Many of those were for this club.

"We want to be judged at the end of the season. Not after every single game when emotion is very high. Let's get our stability back and see at the end of the season where we are."