Wenger Urges Fans To Show More Support

 Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger  says the his side is looking forward to putting the record straight against Liverpool this weekend in the FA Cup after they were thrashed 5-1 by the Reds at Anfield.

When asked whether Liverpool were the last team that his side wanted to play, Wenger said:”No, it’s the first team we want to play,”

“When you can put things right, what you want is an opportunity to do that and we have that opportunity.”

And he dismissed claims that he was prioritising the FA Cup as he bids to end a barren run of nine years without a trophy.

“We will go for any competition we can and the FA Cup is one of the competitions, since it’s our next game, of course, we will go for it.”

There were some boos from the home supporters at the final whistle against United on Wednesday night, and while Wenger can appreciate the disappointment, he called for their continued faith.

“I think the crowd is behind the team, but they were frustrated which is understandable. We were as well,” Wenger said.

“I cannot say I think the crowd will be behind the team (again), but if they were not behind the team that would be a surprise.

“We are one point off the leader (of the Premier League), we play in the Champions League, we play in the FA Cup, so if on top of that we have not a crowd behind us, that would be absolutely unbelievable.”

Wenger added: “We are professional football players. That means we have to cope with every single thing of the crowd, because that is the job.

“After that if you (fans) can help behind the team, that makes us even stronger.”

Wenger is likely to look to rest some players ahead of the Bayern tie, so Lukas Podolski could be given another chance to lead the attack in place of Olivier Giroud.

“He is an exciting player who always gives you a hope that he can score a goal, and at the moment we miss that a bit,” said the Gunners boss.

“He was basically out for a whole season (with a hamstring injury) and is a structure who needs to work hard, but he is getting better now.” Wenger said.

 Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger  says the his side is looking forward to putting the record straight against Liverpool this weekend in the FA Cup after they were thrashed 5-1 by the Reds at Anfield.

When asked whether Liverpool were the last team that his side wanted to play, Wenger said:”No, it’s the first team we want to play,”

“When you can put things right, what you want is an opportunity to do that and we have that opportunity.”

And he dismissed claims that he was prioritising the FA Cup as he bids to end a barren run of nine years without a trophy.

“We will go for any competition we can and the FA Cup is one of the competitions, since it’s our next game, of course, we will go for it.”

There were some boos from the home supporters at the final whistle against United on Wednesday night, and while Wenger can appreciate the disappointment, he called for their continued faith.

“I think the crowd is behind the team, but they were frustrated which is understandable. We were as well,” Wenger said.

“I cannot say I think the crowd will be behind the team (again), but if they were not behind the team that would be a surprise.

“We are one point off the leader (of the Premier League), we play in the Champions League, we play in the FA Cup, so if on top of that we have not a crowd behind us, that would be absolutely unbelievable.”

Wenger added: “We are professional football players. That means we have to cope with every single thing of the crowd, because that is the job.

“After that if you (fans) can help behind the team, that makes us even stronger.”

Wenger is likely to look to rest some players ahead of the Bayern tie, so Lukas Podolski could be given another chance to lead the attack in place of Olivier Giroud.

“He is an exciting player who always gives you a hope that he can score a goal, and at the moment we miss that a bit,” said the Gunners boss.

“He was basically out for a whole season (with a hamstring injury) and is a structure who needs to work hard, but he is getting better now.” Wenger said.