Arsene Wenger hits back at fans for questioning his tactical ability

Arsene Wenger has hit back at Arsenal fans for calling him technically inept following their 1-0 win against West Bromwich Albion at the Hawthorns on Saturday.

The Gunners fans held a banner after the game imploring Wenger to leave the club inspite of the Frenchman having delivered on his promise of a trophy by winning the FA Cup last season.

However, Arsenal's bizarre start to the season, for which they find themselves 13 points behind Chelsea, has not gone down well with the fans, who are asking for Wenger's head.

A few fans and bloggers have accused the manager of not employing the right tactics ahead of important games, especially last season when they succumbed to heavy defeats against the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City.

The Gunners are currently out of the top four and are playing catch-up with Manchester United, who are two points ahead.

Arsenal have failed to win the league in over a decade, having won last with the Invincibles in 2003/04, when they had the likes of Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira, Robert Pires and Dennis Bergkamp running amok in Highbury.

Since then, the Gunners have come close but have failed to apply the finishing touch, which left them with nine fruitless years without a major trophy.

"I started to manage a team at the top level in 1983. If I am completely useless tactically, I am a genius [because] I can hide it very well," Wenger said.

"Look, in [each of] the last 15 years, we are qualified for the last 16 in the Champions League. Give me another club who has done that. I think we have shown extreme consistency and that's all we can do.

"We've had ups and downs in the league - yes, it's true, but you only come back again when the spirit is strong and healthy and united inside the club. And I think if you have shown such a consistency, it's because we have that at the club. We have values and we respect them.

"I can do my job. I do my job with total commitment, I would like people to live with me and see for seven days what kind of work we produce, and you will see that it is total commitment.

"I do what I love, but I think I do it with honesty and total commitment," he concluded.