The Gunners have endured a miserable start to the season and the recent 2-1 reversal against arch rivals Manchester United only added to their woes. Second largest shareholder Usmanov was critical about Wenger, and claimed that the Frenchman hasn’t learned from his past mistakes.

Previewing Arsenal’s Champions League encounter against Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday, Wenger was asked for his comments on recent criticism towards him.

According to Sky Sports, he said, “Over the 18 years I’ve been here I’ve shown I can take criticism, and everybody has the right to an opinion. Having said that, we have values at this club. The first is that when we go through a difficult patch we show solidarity – that’s a very important one. The second one is that when we have something to say to each other we say it face to face – we don’t need to go to the newspapers.”

“Believe me, I don’t take it personally at all. It is an opinion that I respect, but when you’re from this club you’re from this club. You’re in or out – you cannot be both.”

“We know the rules of the game, we know how it works. What is important is how close we are together inside the club and how much we can respond to people who question our quality. I personally feel there’s a very strong bond inside the team and the club, and I feel this team will have a very strong season. I’m ready to bet with you on that.”