Wenger on ‘national debate’: I have to live with opinions that are not right

Arsene Wenger says he doesn’t listen to the “national debate” about Arsenal, but he does know that those opinions are not always right.

The Gunners put on one of their best displays of the season and their intensity was too much for Tottenham as they deservedly defeated their north London rivals 2-0 at The Emirates.

Wenger told Sky Sports: “In a derby, urgency plays a part. We had that on our side. We didn’t lose defensive focus for 90 minutes.

“We were lucky Alexis Sanchez didn’t play in the international break and Alexandre Lacazette only played one game.

“I’m convinced that Mesut Ozil adds physicality to his game and when he needs it he can produce it. He got a standing ovation because he added to the team the defensive job. He’s not a specialist in that but he can do that because he’s an intelligent man.

“I don’t know where referee’s decisions went for us. I haven’t seen the offsides – the foul was a foul. I can give you plenty of games where we have had bad luck.

“We play in the Premier League and people want to go to different conclusions. Nothing is permanent in our job.”

In the post-match press conference, Wenger added: “We played with purpose and good concentration. We never had a minute where we dropped our focus. It was a very intense game.

“We do not listen as much as you think to the national debate. We live inside our own club and focus on ourselves.

“I don’t think I deserve anything. I just try to produce what people expect. I have to live with opinions that are sometimes not right and exaggerated.”

Asked whether he ever doubted the commitment of contract rebels Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez, he said: “I never questioned that. I know them well and when they go on the pitch they want to win.

“They can have bad games but when a player is at the end of his contract everybody says ‘it’s because he goes’.”