Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain insists Arsenal players are to blame - not Arsene Wenger
Alex
Oxlade-Chamberlain says Arsene Wenger should not be used as a scapegoat
for Arsenal's disappointing season so far, insisting the players are to
blame.
The
21-year-old starred in his side's 4-1 win against Newcastle last
Saturday, easing the pressure on Wenger after the Frenchman was abused
by some of his own supporters after the 3-2 defeat at Stoke the week
previous.
While
Oxlade-Chamberlain understands the fans' frustrations over Arsenal's
indifferent form, he feels the criticism aimed at Wenger is unwarranted.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (left) has backed under-fire Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger
He told the Evening Standard: 'It's a hard one for me to say what I would say to the fans.
'I
understand their frustration. I would definitely say that and they are
completely entitled to their own opinion. They pay good money to follow
us around and support their club.
'I
am sure they have supported us for a number of years so they are
definitely entitled to their opinion and I can understand their
frustration. But I wouldn't put that on the manager. We have to stand up
ourselves as players.
'On
that day [at Stoke], it wasn't the manager's fault we went 3-0 down
like we did in the first half. It was us as a group of players — we were
not at the required level.
'On
that day, it would have been harsh for a fan to completely blame our
manager. As players, we are adults and we need to stand up and take some
of that blame ourselves.'
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