UK Edition
Arsene Wenger has said that the Emirates atmosphere and mood of fans will shape his decision over whether to remain Arsenal manager but that he will not be influenced by any desire to safeguard his legacy.
Friends and former players have become concerned that Wenger risks damaging his reputation as Arsenal’s greatest ever manager by staying on next season amid the repeated failure to challenge for either the Champions League or Premier League, but he does not regard that as a valid factor in his decision.
What matters, says Wenger, is whether he can inspire himself and the team to the next level and, within that, he accepts that the attitude of supporters is important.
A protest before Tuesday’s defeat against Bayern Munich was actually relatively small and the club have taken some encouragement from those fans inside the Emirates who did largely create a supportive atmosphere for the team.
“Fans will have an influence,” said Wenger. “You consider everything. It will not be the most important factor but it will influence of course. I work very hard for 20 years to make the fans happy.
"When we lose I understand they are not. I don’t want to judge; I do my daily work with my commitment. You have to accept different opinions.”
Asked whether he was concerned for his “legacy”, Wenger said: “I don’t work for my image, I work for this club with full commitment. After, how I will be judged is not too much my problem.
"I think I have shown I love this club, that I am loyal, that I make the right decisions. I will continue to do that by respecting the values that I think are vital for me.”
Wenger has also told Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain that he is wrong to see his future outside of Arsenal. Oxlade-Chamberlain has had increasing opportunity in his preferred central midfield role recently and Wenger believes that he should be happy with his development.
“I am surprised by that; I believe that he has developed well, that he is developing well and has been given his chance,” said Wenger.
“When you are somewhere you have to want to be there. Personally I rate him highly. I think I have shown that by keeping faith even when he was injured. I personal wish he stays – I think he is a very promising payer who has developed well and who looks also to have the values we rate.”
Wenger has clearly still managed to take some heart from what he called “a top level” performance against Bayern until Laurent Koscielny was sent off and remains adamant that there is no ongoing dressing-room split after admitting to recent player disagreements.
Alexis Sanchez was dropped on Saturday after walking off during training and arguing with Koscielny and Aaron Ramsey. “We have a good, united and determined group,” said Wenger.
“When you have disappointing results there are always disagreed. The best way to respond is the game and show how united and determined we are.
"Competitiveness does not mean love; it is about performing. In the past, it is not the team that loves each other most that is the best.”