Football
ESPN staff 7y

Arsenal's Arsene Wenger warns fans: People try to brainwash you

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has warned fans about being brainwashed by snap judgements following results, as speculation continues over his future.

Wenger has come in for scrutiny after a heavy 10-2 aggregate defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League, while his side trail Premier League leaders Chelsea by 16 points.

The Gunners boss cited Barcelona's remarkable 6-1 win over Paris Saint-Germain, which sealed a 6-5 aggregate victory, as an example of how quickly opinions can change.

Wenger, whose contract expires in the summer, said: "You can't live in an isolated world. When you're a footballer, even if you don't read it you're told what people think. You can't live in a world where you can't be influenced by anything.

"For example, I watched the last 20 minutes of PSG v Barca again. It's interesting when you see all the conclusions that come out of the game.

"And the same people who spoke after the game said with 10 minutes to go that PSG was absolutely outstanding. Ten minutes later, they're absolutely rubbish. People brainwash you with what they think is right.

"Get out of that heated atmosphere and look at things in an objective way. Sometimes it confirms what people say. Sometimes it doesn't.

"I managed about 2,000 games -- I might know a little something about the game as well."

Wenger's side are into the semifinals of the FA Cup after Saturday's 5-0 win over Lincoln City, and the Arsenal manager added: "No matter what happens in the future you will always lose games.

"I can't guarantee we will win all the games. We're in the semifinal of the FA Cup. How many times have we been? You have to accept nothing is good enough, you have to live with that.

"The importance of the game has become bigger. You can't escape any more. No matter where a player goes today it's talked about. You have so many news channels.

"Maybe 30 years ago, the guy who lost a game has one journalist who went with the players to the pub and had a beer after. And sometimes two and three, four, five or more."

Wenger said he "would love" to make history by lifting the cup again, but added: "At the moment we're far from that. Let's get to back to winning habits in the Premier League. We have lost some ground and have a difficult game at West Brom next."

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