Wenger out to get title bid back on track
Wenger admitted he had felt physically sick after the events at Emirates Stadium, which were put right somewhat by an impressive 4-0 victory over Porto in the Champions League on Tuesday.
The Arsenal manager is determined to make sure the same mistakes are not repeated at the Stadium of Light.
“We responded well. First of all it was important to show that Saturday was an accident,” he said.
“We gave the first half of the response on Tuesday night and we want to give the other half on Saturday at Sunderland.”
Wenger continued: “When you go to Sunderland, you want your team to be completely at its best, and focused. I believe what happened last week will help us to do that.
“The pain was big, the response was good. I believe we have a healthy attitude in the squad and that has been shown against Porto.
“We want to show we have learned from the defeat against Hull.”
Having lost only three times during the whole of last season, Wenger knows there can be little margin for error again, given their reverse at Fulham in their opening away game of the domestic campaign.
“I do not think, looking at the league table the Hull result has too much of an impact — but it is damaging because you do not want to lose at home against anybody,” he added.
Meanwhile Wenger has demanded any abuse — racist or otherwise — to be stamped out of the game.
Former Arsenal and Tottenham defender Sol Campbell was subjected to alleged racial and homophobic comments from sections of the travelling Spurs fans during the game at Portsmouth last Sunday.
Police initially said it was not possible to make arrests due to the sheer numbers chanting and would instead report the matter to the FA. However, it has since been confirmed the force, as well as officials at Soho Square, will now investigate.
Wenger — himself no stranger to abuse from the terraces since his arrival in England some 12 seasons ago — insisted no matter what the circumstances, such actions have no place in the modern game.
“My reaction is that abuse cannot be tolerated from anybody towards anybody in the world,” said the French coach.
“How can you fight against it? You can single out people who do it.
“You can punish them individually by not letting them in, then maybe single out a group of people who go from game to game and do it.
“Sometimes stupidity is contagious as well and sometimes in the crowd there is a competition to see who can be more stupid.
“That is why you should not let these people be together.”
Wenger continued: “There is a big tolerance and the abuse only becomes singled out when it is racism.
“Insults of any way should not be tolerated either.”
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