Published: 11 December, 2014
by STEVE BARNETT

ARSENE Wenger has urged Arsenal’s critics to wait until the end of the season before passing judgment on him and his team. 

The Arsenal manager was jeered and received abuse as he and his players boarded the train back to London on Saturday following the shock 3-2 defeat away at Stoke – a match in which the Gunners were trailing after just 19 seconds. 

Wenger said there were “no excuses” for the result, insisting that the best response is to put in a performance this Saturday when Arsenal entertain Newcastle in the early evening kick-off.

“The response after a defeat is always very important,” he said. “What we want is to come back quickly with a strong defensive performance, like we had before the game on Saturday. 

“We showed a lack of experience defensively at Stoke, but we could have scored four or five goals and the team response was quite strong. 

“You expect everyone to be disappointed after that result, but the Premier League is difficult. 

“We want to be judged at the end of the season not after every single game where it is normal that emotion is always very high. 

“So let us get our stability back defensively and see at the end of the season where we are.” 

Wenger also insists the constant criticism from some Arsenal fans is not wearing him down. 

“We have to cope with criticism, we are professional footballers,” added Wenger. 

“It is part of our job, you cannot always look for excuses. We are down. Everyone feels it. 

“When you have a disappointment you respond in a strong way, that is what competition is about.”