Wenger backs under-fire Gunners

Arsene Wenger has responded to criticism of Arsenal’s leaky defence by giving his backing to Per Mertesacker and Calum Chambers.

Mertesacker has been under fire since Sunday’s 2-2 Premier League draw with Liverpool for ducking as Martin Skrtel nodded home the equaliser deep into injury-time at Anfield.

Jamie Redknapp and Ian Wright are among those to have condemned Mertesacker, but Wenger has absolved the former Germany centre-back of blame and insists his form does not justify the scrutiny he has faced.