Arsène Wenger has hit back at comments from the former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes, who claimed Arsenal were "a million miles away" from challenging for the Premier League title.
"If six points [from the top] is a million miles away, then I don't know what the translation from a mile into a point is," the Arsenal manager said. "Everybody has opinions, people who have managed zero games have opinions and we have to accept that. We are in a society where there are thousands of opinions every day, and some go for you and some go against you. You have to live with that.
"We have not given up [on the title], believe me and we can show that on Saturday," Wenger added. "It is our attitude that will decide that."
Arsenal tackle a rampant Manchester City side on Saturday afternoon, following the disappointment of conceding a late own goal in a 2-2 draw against Swansea. "We have not given up [on the title], believe me and we can show that on Saturday. It is our attitude that will decide that. Champions keep going when everybody else would give up."
Speaking as a television pundit, Scholes had launched a fierce attack on Arsenal under Wenger, claiming they had "midfield players with no discipline" and adding that "there are no leaders" at the north London club. He also accused Jack Wilshere of failing to reach the "next level".
Wenger, though, insists his squad – which has been hit by injuries to key men like Theo Walcott, Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey – have what it takes to compete with the best. "You cannot say that. Wilshere is an exceptional player for me who has been handicapped by many injuries. Once Jack is back and consistently on the pitch, he will prove everybody wrong – and Scholes knows that as well.
"Wilshere needs more time. He works very hard on his rehab and it is a fractured bone so you cannot accelerate that process," Wenger said. "But yes, for the World Cup certainly [he will be back]."
Beating Manchester City would boost Arsenal's flagging title hopes but the Gunners are also battling to keep Bacary Sagna from joining Saturday's visitors after news emerged City had offered the right-back a lucrative deal to join them in the summer when his contract expires. Wenger rejected those suggestions, insisting the club were hopeful the 31-year-old France international would choose to stay.
"That [Man City offer] cannot be right because it is illegal," he said. "Sagna has an offer [from Arsenal], he has not come back to us yet. I am confident he will stay. No matter what his decision will be, we will accept it and go on with it."
Wenger himself has yet to formally agree to stay on past the summer, but sees no reason for alarm. The 64-year-old said: "My commitment is not questionable and I have given my word. I always respect my word – it is as simple as that."