Under-fire Arsene Wenger tries to explain press conference anger

Arsenal's manager Arsene Wenger. Photo: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire

Wednesday, February 20, 2013
9:06 AM

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger again hit out at “wrong information” from the media after his side’s crushing 3-1 defeat to Bayern Munich last night.

The Frenchman was angered in his pre-match press conference when questioned on reports that he could be set for a new Arsenal contract, despite crashing out of the FA Cup to Blackburn days earlier.

“My anger yesterday was not based on opinions,” said Wenger after the Bayern game. “It was based on information.

“For me you [the media] have two missions: to give your opinion and to inform people.

“When you give wrong information without checking with us, I me angry because I feel that is disrespectful.

“When you give your opinion, I will always accept it. I have never disputed any opinion in 16 years.

“When you give wrong information, you cheat the guy who buys your newspaper.”

He continued: “That’s why I was angry. I work here for 16 years and you could check with the club, you could check with me, before you give the information out.

“If I read some information in your newspaper, I expect it to be true.

“That’s why I was angry. I think I am entitled to do that.

“You can say any opinion about a football game, and I accept it.

“You can say I’m a bad manager and I’ll accept it, but when you give the wrong information I don’t accept it.”