Wenger admits he hates himself when Arsenal lose

Arsene Wenger says he is a bad loser after Arsenal are beaten but tries not to take criticism too personally.

No announcement has been made on Wenger’s future at the Emirates with his contract up at the end of the season and Arsenal looking likely to miss out on a top four finish for the first time in his time at the club.

Arsenal are sixth in the Premier League and are six points outside a place in the top four ahead of this weekend’s clash with Manchester United.

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And Wenger says he hates failure – just like everyone else.

Speaking to Norwegian TV channel TV2, he said: “I am like everybody – I prefer to be loved than hated but I can take a distance with that.

“I know as well it is not the person itself, it is the fact the manager does not win the games. They want to win and I can make a difference in that.

“I don’t take it too personally. In fact, I personally hate myself – the manager – more than anybody when I don’t win the games. I am a very bad loser.”

Arsenal have not won the Premier League title since 2004 but have won the FA Cup three times since then, and could make it No 4 this season.

But Wenger knows he will be judged on how much silverware the club win.

“People want to win,” he added.

“If you don’t win the championship, the FA Cup, the Champions League, it is absolutely disastrous. But if you look back in the last three years, we won the FA Cup twice and finished second, third and fourth.

“We are in the FA Cup final again. Overall, I believe we are not happy because you want to win absolutely everything.

“But you have to accept as well that Real Madrid has not won their championship for five years. They are big clubs – it is difficult. Liverpool hasn’t won it for over 20. Just because you turn up doesn’t mean you win. It is difficult to win.”