Wenger Blasts Money-Hungry Mentality

Wenger has always had great faith in his squad, and it looked to be paying off going into this season, as they racked up a tremendous sequence of results, topped the Premier League and were prospering in Europe.

There was a slight dip in the winter, but they still managed to re-emerge and go back to top spot in the league - five points clear of Manchester United in second - before a disastrous end of season collapse saw them fall off the pace entirely, get knocked out of Europe and left trophyless for another season.

Though Kolo Toure has recently pledged his allegiance to the Arsenal flag and stated he wants to see his career out with the club - and under-fire William Gallas has given nothing but positive messages since his immature outburst against Birmingham City - murmurs of discontent are coming from Mathieu Flamini, who has all but departed for Juventus or Milan as his contract is running out, and Alexander Hleb is also reportedly being courted by Internazionale.

Wenger believes that as we are now in an age where all professional footballers can live comfortably, such money matters should not be held in such high regard.

"There is something in this team which is stronger than a few bucks here and there," said a defiant Wenger.

"What is really important is that this team says 'lets go to the end of our potential together and not walk out for any simpler reason' - and that is where I expect them to show strength, and care what they can achieve together."

"We are not any more in a period where you get £100 more at another club and it decides your life.

"Flamini can earn more somewhere else that is for sure because it would be a free transfer - but how much is he ready to sacrifice to stay here?"

Harder Than Ever

It is being suggested that the Gunners' late season collapse is what has helped these rumours of want-away players gather such speed and Wenger admits that he is deeply disappointed with how things have ended.

Criticism has been forthcoming of the Frenchman, with many suggesting his side are style over substance, or that the former Monaco manager is too stuck in his ways and not adapting enough to compete at the highest level.

A very proud and intelligent footballing man, he has admitted that he has considered where he has faltered, and will no doubt be looking to strengthen his side this summer to ensure the same mistakes - whatever he believes them to be - are not repeated.

"Of course I looked at myself, it is the first thing I do," he said.

"I worked harder than ever this year.

"Do I have the fire and desire is not what I question. What is so difficult to swallow is that you work as hard as I did and finish empty handed.

"I am not pretentious enough to say I didn't make mistakes - but we only lost three games and we are not competing for the championship."

Big Effect

Flamini is amongst several Arsenal players who look set to miss the last few games of the season, and Wenger has even suggested he will rest those who are going to this summer's European Championships so they can prepare.

As such, we may well see some of the youngsters emerge on the pitch this Monday, when Arsenal visit rockbottom and relegated Derby County.

Many of 'the kids' have not been seen since the 5-1 Carling Cup drubbing at the hands of bitter rivals Arsenal - the Gunners' first loss to them in over eight years - and Wenger has admitted the crushing defeat had an affect on Polish goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski in particular, who is poised to make his Premier League debut before the season's end.nuary.

"It had a big effect on him," admitted Wenger.

"He is an intelligent and sensitive boy. With these two qualities sometimes it goes against you.

"However, he has got over it. It is a learning process of every top level player. A career is how long he deals with lows."

Though he acknowledges the weaknesses or the dangers of exposing youngsters to so much pressure, he is in no doubt that it was the right thing to do, and he feels they have done well.

"I feel the young players produced," declared the Frenchman.

"I considered Theo not to be a regular at the start of this season, next year I think he will fight for his position, the same with [Nicklas] Bendtner.

"It wasn't that I didn't think Walcott would be ready, but how quickly.

"Sometimes before he started games and you did not see a lot of him. Now that is different."