Arsenal: Arsene Wenger claims having played against teams who were doped

Arsene Wenger has insinuated that he has seen many teams over the years who have been guilty of doping to enhance their performance but were not caught for lack of proof. The Gunners themselves were on the wrong end of a doping controversy when a Dinamo Zagreb player was found using prohibited substance in the Champions League, in a game that the Gunners lost 2-1.

Arsenal have been struck with a series of injuries to key players this season, with more than 10 players out for their important clash against Bayern Munich where they were humbled 5-1. The game had a spillover effect in their clash against Tottenham where they drew on the basis of a late equaliser by Kieran Gibbs, who had been brought in to fill in an attacking role left vacant by Joel Campbell.

Wenger is under pressure to deliver, having spent more than a decade without winning the league title. It is believed that with the other teams around him not living up to expectations this year, it is his best chance to alleviate that gap.

They are currently second in the league table, joint on points with leaders Manchester City, but behind on goal difference. However, the Frenchman insists that he will never resort to questionable means to realise his dreams, but has raised concern over how this affects teams who come second owing to someone who has cheated his way into pole position.

"I try to be faithful to the values that I believe to be important in life and to pass them on to others," Wenger told L'Equipe, as quoted by the Guardian. "In 30 years as a manager I've never had my players injected to make them better. I never gave them any product that would help enhance their performance. I'm proud of that. I've played against many teams that weren't in that frame of mind.

"For me, the beauty of sport is that everyone wants to win, but there will only be one winner. We have reached an era in which we glorify the winner, without looking at the means or the method. And 10 years later we realise the guy was a cheat. And during that time, the one that came second suffered. He didn't get recognition. And, with all that's been said about them, they can be very unhappy," he added.