Wenger accepts he will receive criticism

Being under pressure at Christmas has become standard fare for Arsene Wenger at Christmas and 2016 is no different.

The Arsenel No 1’s side are nine points off the summit of the Premier League, and as usual, many fans in The Gunners ranks are sharpening their knives for the Frenchman - now in his 20^th season in charge of the north London club - as the business end of the season approaches.

Wenger has spoken publicly of his feelings on the criticism and accepted that some level of criticism is normal as long as it’s not fickle.

“Everybody has freedom to have an opinion,” said Wenger.

“"I'm not immune to critics. But immune to excessive reactions, yes.

"I've been long enough in the job to put that into perspective as people who love the club, who are really disappointed on Monday morning and get their frustration out. We have to live with that.

"It doesn't mean they are not ready to change their mind if we win the next game."

Wenger also rallied to the defence of his German midfielder Mesut Ozil, who has been accused of lacking fight and commitment to the Arsenal cause over the last number of weeks.

"It's not easy to walk out sometimes in a hostile atmosphere and perform at your best. We are usually educated to it slowly,” said Wenger.

"Everybody responds individually to that [the mood of a crowd]. Some are more affected than others.

"I believe what is important is the strength you find inside and you respond inside the club to be united inside the dressing room.

"You do not go in the season and have no disappointment. We have just lost two games.

"It's the teams who respond well together who have the most successful season. It's part of it.

"In 20 years I had very few seasons where you start on the motorway and you finish on the motorway with no car in front of you."

Photo: Getty/Alex Livesey

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