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Arsene Wenger dismisses renewed calls for Arsenal exit

Arsene Wenger
Image: Arsene Wenger has brushed off calls from Arsenal supporters to resign

Arsene Wenger gave short shrift to renewed calls for him to leave after Arsenal comprehensively beat Hull to reach the FA Cup quarter-finals.

Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott each scored twice as the Gunners made light work of their fifth-round replay at the KC Stadium, although the 4-0 victory clearly was not enough for a section of the travelling support.

'Arsene, thanks for the memories but it's time to say goodbye' read a banner held aloft in the away end towards the end of the match, somewhat taking the gloss off an impressive display by the Gunners.

Arsenal into quarters
Arsenal into quarters

Arsenal were too strong for Hull in their FA Cup replay

"There's nothing disappointing for me - you know, I do my job," Wenger said.

"Look at the history of the club, since the club exists, and you will see that I have nothing to be scared of."

Asked why the supporters had done it, he bristled: "I don't care. I do not want to speak about that because it is always the same story.

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Per Mertesacker, Aaron Ramsey and Gabriel were injured in Arsenal's win at Hull

"I told you already sometimes the press conferences are very boring and it is enough now.

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"If you have any questions, you ask anybody else but you don't come back to me with that."

The banner was a reaction to Arsenal's form away from the FA Cup, with an almighty turnaround required to overcome Barcelona in the Champions League next week.

Olivier Giroud celebrates scoring a goal for Arsenal with Alex Iwobi, Calum Chambers and Mohamed Elneny
Image: Olivier Giroud celebrates scoring the opening goal at the KC Stadium

It is the eight-point gap to Premier League leaders Leicester that really sticks in the craw, though - not that Hull counterpart Steve Bruce can comprehend the anger aimed at Wenger.

"I just can't understand that for the life of me," he said.

"But, then again, we're in a crazy industry at the moment where the coach or the manager, no matter who you are or what respect you've got - [you will have] people coming after you. We are going to talk about it, probably.

Theo Walcott
Image: Theo Walcott set up one and scored twice as Arsenal reached the last eight

"The fella has been immense for Arsenal for 20 years and maybe these idiots, who think they want change... until they have change might rue that decision forever more.

"He has been managing Arsenal since '96, which is quite remarkable.

"He has been able to shrug it off, dust it off. He's a very, very experienced man and we're talking about one of the greats here.

Steve Bruce
Image: Steve Bruce defended 'immense' Wenger due to his 20-year spell with the Gunners

"For what he has done, I think people have to realise what he has done and achieved at Arsenal, but it doesn't seem enough any more.

"They don't have a divine right to win it with the spending power others have got, so I can't understand it."

Bruce's respect for Wenger is as clear as it is understandable, despite having just been knocked out of the FA Cup by him for a third straight season.

The first exit came as Arsenal won the 2014 final and, having beaten Aston Villa at Wembley last year, Tuesday's replay success puts Wenger's men on course to win it for a third successive year.

We judge the season after the season and I'm quite amazed so many people judge it so early.
Arsene Wenger

"Look, do you know someone who has won it more than me? No, so that gives you the answer," Wenger said when asked what a third straight FA Cup would mean.

"We judge the season after the season and I'm quite amazed so many people judge it so early, you know. Assess the season after the season and we'll give everything.

"We have not given up anywhere and you will see that in the coming weeks. I believe that this club has been in a much worse position than it is today."

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