Arsene Wenger Dismisses Exit Rumours, Hits Back at Critics in Man City Presser

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger batted away questions about his future at the club on Wednesday, amid intensifying speculation this season will be his last at the Emirates Stadium. 

Following their humbling 3-0 defeat in the final of the Carabao Cup on Sunday at the hands of Manchester City, rumours have surfaced about Wenger's position despite the fact he has another year left to run on his contract following this term.

At his press conference ahead of Thursday's Premier League meeting with City, Wenger was not keen to talk about his own position, per Liam Prenderville of the Daily Mirror.

"My position is my position," he said. "Honestly, it is the last worry I have at the moment. It is my way of thinking, to focus for the next game. My job is to perform and for other people to judge me."

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When asked if he expected to be in charge next term, the Frenchman rebuffed the question again.

"I just gave you my answer," he said. "Does it stop you to sleep? That my position is certain, uncertain."

He also called for some context following the loss to Premier League leaders City at Wembley Stadium.

"I am quite amazed at how people have analysed the game," Wenger said. "It is like we lost to a team who are bottom of Division Five."

As relayed by Mattias Karen of ESPN FC, the Frenchman appeared frustrated by some of the questions:

It has been reported by Sami Mokbel of the Daily Mail that Wenger is set to end his stay in north London at the end of the season, with Arsenal said to be putting together a list of potential replacements.

According to Jack Pitt-Brooke of The Independent, AS Monaco boss Leonardo Jardim would be keen to take on the position, and he is admired by plenty at the Emirates.

A lot of questions also centred around the performance of the Gunners in the League Cup final, an effort they have been criticised for. Per James Olley of the Evening Standard, Wenger said he's used to the scrutiny:

Asked in particular about the scathing words of former Manchester United defender Gary Neville while commentating for Sky Sports, Wenger suggested some parts of the analysis were unfair.

"You can always get out pictures from a game where you justify what you are thinking," he said. "Why? Has he made runs in behind before? Did he not track because he didn't want to track?"

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And ahead of the second meeting with City in the space of five days, there was also an injury blow for Arsenal, with Wenger confirming Nacho Monreal is set for a spell on the sidelines, per John Cross of the Daily Mirror:

Although there has been plenty of criticism of Arsenal in recent days, it's imperative the team pick themselves up and secure a positive result against City. Otherwise their hopes of a top-four finish are surely over.

The Gunners, in sixth, trail fourth-place Tottenham Hotspur by 10 points ahead of Thursday's game at the Emirates.