Wenger Hits Out At ‘Age Discrimination’

Arsene Wenger has revealed he can accept criticism for his results, but believes he is the target of “age discrimination,” as new speculation emerges about his future at Arsenal.

Fomer Borussia Dortmund manager Thomas Tuchel has been heavily linkedwith a move to the Emirates Stadium next season, suggesting Wenger is destined to leave the club in the summer despite having a contract which ends in 2019.

In an interview with BeIN Sport, the 68-year-old responded to his critics, saying he was particularly annoyed with the claims that his age is the cause of Arsenal’s decline.

“You focus on doing well for your club and ignore all the rest,” he said. “Overall the older you get the more it becomes a little bit age discrimination.

“I can accept that if the results are not good enough. We are in a job where we have to deal with the consequences but overall that perpetual thing of a link with how long you’ve been at the club, how old you are, I find that a bit difficult to take.

“All the rest I accept. I am in a public job where I have to make results and I’m responsible for them.”

Wenger also said that a possible Europa League win, and subsequent qualification for the Champions League as a result, would not change his opinion on the contribution he has given to the club over the years and that he doesn’t care too much about his public image.

“I am not too concerned [by my public image],” he added. “I focus on working with the values that are important, to give my best for the club.

“I am naive enough to believe that with the time going on, the perspective, the emotional context going, it will stand out what I’ve done for my club, not so much the last result or the last game I won or how much I’ve been applauded.

“I’m a little bit fed up with all that modern thing of completely taking care of your image. I’ve always worked my whole life with the idea it’s more important who you are than how you look.”

Arsenal will face CSKA Moscow in the Europa League quarterfinals next month and are among the favourites to lift the trophy in Lyon on May 16.

Source: ESPN FC