Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has urged fans to show more respect to Andrey Arshavin.

The Russian has been the target of supporters' frustrations in recent weeks as the Gunners have slipped to seventh in the Premier League table.

"At the moment we play a little bit under difficult circumstances but we have to realise that we have to support our players," Wenger told reporters. "I personally have a huge respect for Andrey Arshavin and if you would see him behave every day you would have one as well. I understand everybody's frustrations because I'm quite tolerant – but there is still a difference between frustration and lack of respect.

"I am here to make all of the fans happy and when I do not manage to do it I am, of course, not happy. But what is most important is that we have our fans happy at the end of the season."

Arsenal host Blackburn Rovers in the league on Saturday.