Arsene Wenger blasts critics over former Man United star Danny Welbeck injury
Posted Friday, September 11, 2015 by Dailystar.co.uk
FURIOUS Arsene Wenger has hit back at claims he has cheated Gunners fans by failing to land a striker in the summer.
And Wenger insisted he had not lied about the extent of Danny Welbeck's injury, despite learning his striker was out until Christmas before the transfer window shut.
Starsport columnist and Gunners legend Paul Merson blasted the Arsenal boss for not buying, saying: "It cheats the fans."
But Wenger, who was linked with Real Madrid's Karim Benzema and turned down the chance to sign PSG's Edinson Cavani for £50m, was having none of it.
He said: "Buying and selling is one way to strengthen your team but that's not the only way.
"To support the team is to stand behind the players - it is not always expecting someone coming down from heaven to sort out all your problems.
FUMING: Wenger is unhappy with the critics
"The solutions we had were not convincing at all."
Wenger admitted he knew prior to the deadline that Welbeck needed a knee operation that would sideline the England hitman him for three months.
But he denied lying to the fans, despite claiming the day before last month's win at Newcastle that Welbeck would be back within days.
He said: "On Friday morning, I did not know Welbeck had a bad setback. I did not lie to you, I gave you the information I had.
"I heard late on Friday night his condition had not evolved as well as we thought and he needed specialist investigation."
INJURY SETBACK: Welbeck (centre) remains unavailable
To make matters worse for Wenger, main striker Olivier Giroud is bang out of form.
The France striker was booed off after having a shocker against Serbia on Monday.
But Wenger is one Frenchman who is standing by his compatriot, saying of the boo-boy treatment: "Giroud has my full support.
"There is no striker in the world who has not been questioned. When he missed chances and is booed, that can happen."
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