Wenger angrily denies contract talks

Wenger added: "There is a lot of superficial analysis. We have to accept we take the blame for going out (of the FA Cup), but you have to put things into perspective. You have to really analyse it, just because one guy says one thing, everybody has to go the same way."

Bayern Munich coach Jupp Heynckes has leapt to the defence of Wenger.

"You have to take into consideration that Arsenal are competing with teams like Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City," he said. "The way I see it, over the years they have been selling their best players whereas the other teams get in these world stars. If you have to compete with that I don't think it is fair to blame Arsene Wenger.

"Wenger is a great coach. You see the way his teams play. Arsenal has a lot of tradition and history. They play attractive football. If you take away the game against Blackburn they have been very positive. They're fifth in the league. They will be a very difficult opponent for us tomorrow."

Heynckes is, of course, no stranger to the pressures associated with leading a big club after two seasons with Bayern. The 67-year-old took the Bavarians to the Champions League and DFB-Pokal finals last year without wining either. They were also pipped to the Bundesliga by Borussia Dortmund and Heynckes, who will hand over the reins to Pep Guardiola in the summer, revealed he had been forced to change his team's style to rediscover success.

"Last season we had a great season, but if you are Bayern Munich if you do not win the title it is simply not enough," he said. "Two years at Bayern Munich without a title - you have to do something about that. This season we've changed a few things around. We've improved in defence and our switching of the play. What is very important for me is that all players have learned they must defend and attack.

"The players have the motivation. They have a hunger for success. That is an important factor for us moving forward."