Arsene Wenger: 'Mauricio Pochettino misled by silverware comments'

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 26 January 2018

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger claims that Tottenham Hotspur counterpart Mauricio Pochettino was "misled" over previous comments about a lack of silverware.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has dismissed suggestions that he criticised Tottenham Hotspur's lack of silverware after reaching the EFL Cup final on Wednesday night.

The Gunners secured a 2-1 win over Chelsea to set up a clash with Manchester City and in the aftermath of the fixture, Wenger suggested that some teams are celebrated for reaching finals despite a lack of trophies for 25 years.

The quotes could have been interpreted as criticism of rivals Spurs, with Mauricio Pochettino encouraging Wenger to focus his attention on his own side.

However, Wenger has hit back, insisting that Pochettino had been "misled" about the nature of his comments.

At a press conference, the Frenchman said: "Of course he has been misled. He said I have to focus on Arsenal and he's right, that's what I do. I have no problem with him or with anybody else. I just want to be responsible for what I say but not what I was supposed to have said - that's really disappointing for me.

"I just complained that we are always in the hot spot. I didn't speak about anybody - that's why I'm not happy with that because I didn't speak about Tottenham at all and I didn't even think about them.

"It was just a general example and I didn't speak about anybody. I work for 20 years here, and I respect the press and I stand up for what I say, but I don't accept being questioned about things I have not said."

Wenger is yet to win the EFL Cup during his time at Arsenal.