Graphic: feud for thought: five conflicts and a civil war

The sticks and stones hurled by opponents may break his players' bones, but words will never hurt Arsène Wenger. The Arsenal manager faced yet more questions over his future and that of his fragile young team yesterday and produced a suitably defiant response, insisting that he would not swap his position with that of any other manager in the Barclays Premier League.

Given that Arsenal trail Chelsea by six points and had not played any of the top six before today's lunchtime meeting with Manchester United, that was some claim, but Wenger has always done things his way. The Frenchman thrives on criticism and would prefer to be the focus of it, shielding his players, leading to the suspicion that last week's attack on Stoke City was a deliberate, if cynical, attempt to deflect attention from his underperforming team.

Wenger has got his wish over the past few days, with the question of how long he will stay at Arsenal being openly discussed for the first time in his 12-year reign. After absorbing any number of low blows, he hit back in no uncertain terms yesterday, repeating his commitment to a contract that expires in 2011, if not quite accepting that he has earned the right to leave on his terms, in the manner of Sir Alex Ferguson, his oldest adversary.

“I have earned no right, I have just earned right to give maximum every day, but I have a contract and will respect it,” Wenger said. “To be questioned every day is part of the job. I have shown my commitment to the club since I have been here and kept my faith. I always have one interest and that is what is best for the club. They have kept faith in me, so it is reciprocal.

“I am very proud of what my players do and I am very proud of the job I am doing as well, even if results are not as good as we want. There are no alarming signs. I don't question my commitment at Arsenal and I always put the interests of the club first. I would not exchange my position with any other manager because I believe in our qualities.”

Arsenal fans glancing at the teamsheet through bloodshot eyes this morning may take a different view, however, as the home team are likely to resemble a pale imitation of those who have appeared in this grudge match in recent years. Whereas United will be at close to full strength after resting players in midweek, Arsenal will either be severely patched up or grossly inexperienced. William Gallas, Bacary Sagna, Theo Walcott and Manuel Almunia are facing fitness tests, while Emmanuel Adebayor, Emmanuel Eboué and Robin van Persie are out, but Wenger is convinced that they can compete.

“We will play our game the way we do because I believe it is the most efficient way,” he said. “When we don't win, people question our approach, but we were the only team to go an entire [Premier League] season unbeaten and we played in exactly the same spirit. I am always having to answer questions, as if we had failed. Let's speak about it in May.

“If you measure us on experience, we will go down. Every single club has more experience than us, but success is not linked with experience. It is linked with intelligence and ability. You can be 18 and intelligent and you can be 30 and still stupid.

“I rely on my experience and know what is important for the team to do. I stick to what I believe is right. I am quite relaxed about that. In any career you have moments that go well and moments that go less well. You are not God when everyone says you are and you are not miserable when everyone says you are. The truth is somewhere in between.”