Wenger: We have character to succeed

Premier League: ARSENAL V STOKE

The Gunners found themselves 2-0 down after an hour against Liverpool in midweek, with sloppy individual mistakes at the back proving costly. However, Arsenal rallied to net two quick goals themselves and could have gone on to win the match.

Wenger moved to bolster his defensive options with the deadline day signing of Spain full-back Nacho Monreal, which will cover for Kieran Gibbs’ enforced absence because of a thigh injury.

However, the Arsenal manager maintains his men can pull together to come through what has been a testing campaign.

“Everyone of us is affected by criticism, I didn’t meet one person who loves absolutely to be slaughtered. All of us prefer to say ‘yes you are great’,” said Wenger, whose side host Stoke today.

“The team has certainly been deeply affected by all the negativity and also by the fact they are highly focused to do well.

“They have fantastic focus, and want to do well, but sometimes that can be a bit inhibitive.

“I don’t believe that my players miss strength of character, they have plenty of character.

“They want to play in a bit more spontaneous way at home. We feel we have a bit of inhibition. We have to get rid of that and I think we have the strength of character needed to do it.”

Spain full-back Monreal feels Arsenal’s own brand of tiki-taka football will help him settle quickly into life at Emirates Stadium.

“It is a completely different way of playing to the Spanish League — it’s a lot more physical, for example. As the days go by I will get used to things and I will give my all.”

Arsenal were linked with a host of players during the January transfer window, including Barcelona forward David Villa and West Ham’s Senegal midfielder Mohamed Diame and Wenger admitted there was some frustration he was not able to get at least one more body in.

“We were close to one more signature, yes,” the Gunners boss said.

“It was not a money problem, it was more a desire from other clubs to keep their players.”

Stoke assistant boss Dave Kemp was left disappointed with the Potters’ business in the transfer window and admits areas of the squad are a cause for concern.

The club brought in highly-rated England keeper Jack Butland from Birmingham and USA international winger Brek Shea from FC Dallas.

Defenders Matthew Upson and Rory Delap left the club for Brighton and Barnsley respectively, leaving the Potters short in defence.

Kemp said: “We’ve brought in two excellent young players but to be honest, the squad is unbalanced. We tried to correct it in the last window and didn’t manage it, and the plan was to get through to this window and address it and unfortunately we haven’t. So there is a bit of concern there.”