Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger addressed the media on Friday as he reacted to the disastrous defeat to Bayern Munich and talk over his future.
The Gunners suffered a damaging 5-1 loss in Bavaria on Wednesday night, and as they continue to fall short in the Premier League title race, it has raised question marks again over Wenger’s future at the club.
One of the first things to be addressed in the press conference though was a report this week that there was a dressing room bust-up involving Alexis Sanchez, as reported by The Sun.
Wenger was quick to dismiss that suggestion but gave an insight into the mood within the camp.
“No, not at all. Everybody was deeply disappointed and affected, but there was no incident in the dressing room apart from a huge sadness and disappointment.”
Focus quickly switched to his future, as with his current contract expiring in the summer, it has been suggested that he could finally walk away from Arsenal after 20 years.
However, he did little to give strength to that suggestion, although he did for arguably the first time suggest that he would be managing elsewhere next season as he has no intention to stop coaching any time soon.
When asked if he feels offended by the things he reads and hears about him, Wenger responded: “No, because I’m used to it after 20 years and I think in life it’s important you do what you think is right and the rest is judgement that I have to accept. I have to behave with my values and accept that everyone has an opinion on it.
“Every time I have the opportunity I do [speak to the board]. I don’t want to come back on that. At the moment, we have other priorities and the most important thing is Arsenal Football Club and the future of our team and what we can achieve until the end of the season.
“No, no matter what happens I will manage next season. Whether it is here or somewhere else that’s absolutely for sure but on a night like that I hate defeat, I hate to lose games and I want to do extremely well for this club as I have a big responsibility. You don’t spend 20 years somewhere and walk out of a defeat like that and you whistle.
“It’s difficult to take, but I have the strength and experience to deal with that.”