Under-fire Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has dismissed the latest criticism of his side as "a farce" following a shock FA Cup exit at the quarter-final stage.
The Frenchman faces further questions from angry supporters after a 2-1 loss at home to Watford ended hopes of retaining the FA Cup for a third year running.
Wenger had used the domestic competition as leverage in his argument as to why he was still the right man for Arsenal but, having now been dumped out, it was suggested post match that his Gunners side now face an almighty task to end their campaign on a high.
Speaking to reporters after the disappointing setback, the 66-year-old insisted that he and his team should only be judged at the end of the season, with top spot in the Premier League still just about up for grabs.
"The next game is always a big challenge and you are always in the middle of a drama," he said. "It is becoming a farce. We have lost a game. We are sad and we want to focus on the next game.
"Arsenal has lost games before in history and we will lose again in the future. We will stick together and cope with it and prepare for the next one with complete belief. Observers are not supporters. Supporters stand behind the club and we want to fight until the end of the season for every single game.
"What is going on at the moment is very, very difficult to take for the players but judge us at the end of the season. We have come to the end of a very, very long run in the FA Cup, so it is very sad."
Arsenal's week could get worse still as they face an uphill battle to keep their Champions League aspirations alive when facing reigning European champions Barcelona on Wednesday evening.
Daniel Lewis
