Arsenal manager Wenger denies he could quit

Under-pressure Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger denied he could quit the Gunners following criticism of recent performances, saying on Friday: “No, I love it here.”

Wenger's team, who host Manchester United on Saturday, squandered Premiership points recently against Tottenham and Stoke and failed to beat Turks Fenerbahce at the Emirates stadium in midweek Champions League action.

Wenger reiterated his commitment to Arsenal despite his youngsters' recent struggles, insisting he would not swap places with Manchester United counterpart Alex Ferguson.

Former Arsenal goalkeeper Bob Wilson has suggested the criticism levelled at Wenger, after going without a trophy since 2005, could lead to the Frenchman walking away.

Wenger, who has a contract until 2011, told British media: “No, I love it here. I don't question my commitment for Arsenal and I could show you concrete signs that I've done that over the years.”

The Frenchman's commitment stems from the faith he has in his young players to turn their season around after a dismal week.

“I would not exchange today my position with any manager of any other team because I believe strongly in our qualities,” he said.

“If the result at the end of the season will be based on experience, we will go down. Every single team has more experience than we have.

“I don't believe that success is linked with experience. It is linked with desire, with talent, with intelligence. You can be intelligent at 18 or 20 and you can be stupid at 30.

“The solution is not always to buy players. The solution for me at the moment is to trust the players I have because I trust their strengths, I trust their intelligence so let's show it.”

Wenger feels his squad will match Ferguson's in terms of quality.

“I believe we are as good as well,” he said. “It is down to us to develop well and to show that we can win big games. Manchester United is a great side but we have a good opportunity to show we can beat them.

“I believe in my team and I'm very proud of the job I'm doing as well, even if at the moment we are not as good as I want them to be.

“There is no alarming sign of the team not having the potential and I am convinced there is a mental strength there.”

Victory over United would also lift spirits after the last week, when morale appeared to low.

“Morale is of course down when we don't win,” he said. “We have to keep winning, learn from what has happened to us and continue to believe in our strengths.”

Wenger accused Stoke players of deliberately trying to injure his players last week, and he also feels his team are treated differently by referees when it comes to bookings and fouls.

He has called on referee Howard Webb to protect his players against United.

“I have nothing against physical games. What I want is just that the referee protects both teams on the pitch, makes the right decisions,” Wenger said. “I expect a committed game.”

Wenger's preparations have not been helped by injury concerns to Mikael Silvestre (nose), William Gallas (hamstring), Bacary Sagna (ankle) and Theo Walcott (shoulder).

They will require late checks but forward Robin van Persie is suspended, while Emmanuel Adebayor (ankle) and Emmanuel Eboue (knee) will miss out, along with long-term absentees Tomas Rosicky and Eduardo.

“You can risk one or two but not three or four because if something happens you have no potential change any more,” Wenger said.