Arsene Wenger hits back at Paul Scholes' comments over Arsenal's title challenge

Arsene Wenger

In his first outing as a pundit, Scholes was predictably two-footed in his criticism Arsenal and its players. Arsenal’s manager Arsène Wenger has come out in defense of his side, whom Scholes claimed were “a million miles away” from winning the Premier League.

Wenger retorted “If six points [from the top] is a million miles away, then I don’t know what the translation from a mile into a point is.” He also added “Everybody has opinions, people who have managed zero games have opinions and we have to accept that. We are in a society where there are thousands of opinions every day, and some go for you and some go against you. You have to live with that.”

Going into the crunch clash against City on Saturday, Wenger insisted that the club haven’t thrown in the towel just yet although their chances have become slim after a disappointing 2-2 draw against Swansea. “We have not given up [on the title], believe me and we can show that on Saturday,” Wenger added. “It is our attitude that will decide that. Champions keep going when everybody else would give up.”

Scholes in his debut pundit appearance, said that last week was “probably a typical week for Arsenal” and went onto criticize the midfielders for going out “with no discipline”. He also added that there are “no leaders within them”. He didn’t stop there as he also accused Jack Wilshere of failing to step up to the “next level”.

Wenger, however, insisted that his squad – which has been hit with an injury crisis – have what it takes to compete with the best. The Arsenal manager also stood up for the injured Wilshere and said “You cannot say that. Wilshere is an exceptional player for me who has been handicapped by many injuries. Once Jack is back and consistently on the pitch, he will prove everybody wrong – and Scholes knows that as well.”

“Wilshere needs more time. He works very hard on his rehab and it is a fractured bone so you cannot accelerate that process,” Wenger said. “But yes, for the World Cup certainly [he will be back].”

Going into a do-or-die clash with Manchester City, the news that the visitors have offered Bacary Sagna a lucrative deal to join them on a free in the summer would have been the last thing they would have wanted. Wenger was outraged and claimed that the offer “is illegal” and is “confident” that the 31-year-old Frenchman will stay at the Emirates.