Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has said that he is like a polar bear and wants to absorb the media criticism of his side.

Wenger, who has led his current team to the club's worst start in almost six decades, admits that the Gunners' recent run of results has been difficult for his younger players to take.

"When you have heavy criticism of a young player I am more worried about it," The Mirror quotes him as saying. "I am supposed to take the bullets and absorb them. Like a bear. A polar bear.

"In fairness, it does not hurt too much. You worry more about the young player who gets in the team at the moment and gets slaughtered, it's much more difficult. When I was 19 that was much more difficult to take for me.

"I'm a human being and I prefer it when you say I am not an idiot. But I know that it is an emotional game and I have to deal with that. That is why it is important that we do well for the club. That we try to get our fans happy again."

Should they lose to Bolton, the London club could be in bottom place by Saturday night, if Fulham can earn a point at the Hawthorns.