Criticism of Arsenal's Arsene Wenger, others 'unacceptable' - Pep Guardiola

Posted Monday, February 20, 2017 by ESPN

Pep Guardiola has jumped to the defence of Arsene Wenger and says the criticism of managers in "unacceptable."

The Arsenal boss has come under intense scrutiny after the Gunners were thrashed 5-1 by Bayern Munich in the Champions League with ex-players questioning whether he should get a new contract at the Emirates.

Among the critics were former Arsenal defender Martin Keown, who said Wenger should consider his future, and ex-Manchester United player Rio Ferdinand, who claimed the Frenchman has presided over a decade of failure.

Manchester City manager Guardiola says that Wenger and other coaches deserve more respect from the media.

"What I've heard in the last 10 days about how the people -- former players and journalists -- treated for example Arsene Wenger is unacceptable," Guardiola told a news conference following City's 0-0 draw with Huddersfield Town in the FA Cup.

"For me, our job at the moment, we don't have any respect for any position. What happened was unacceptable. We take decisions and you can say whatever you want."

City were held by Huddersfield and now face a replay at the Etihad on Feb. 28 with the winners playing Middlesbrough in the sixth round.

While the fixture won't affect City plans for a short warm weather training break to Abu Dhabi following Tuesday's Champions League clash with Monaco, it's an extra game in what could be a very busy final few months of the season.

Guardiola made eight changes for the clash with Huddersfield and defended his decision to not play a stronger lineup from the start.

"I take my decisions and you analyse them after, I have to take the decision before. The best solution was what I'd done," he said.