Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger remains defiant despite facing further questions about his future in the wake of the Gunners’ 2-0 defeat at Sunderland in the fifth round of the FA Cup.
Saturday’s defeat means Arsenal appear headed towards their seventh season without a trophy.
However Wenger told his critics: “We will stay united, fight and focus on the next game. It is important for us to show strength and resilience.”
Their next game is a Premier League fixture against third-placed London rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
Another defeat would provide further ammunition for the Gunners’ supporters who are increasingly unhappy about their team’s performances and results despite their fourth position on the ladder.
While Wenger accepts fans have a right to their opinions, he was less impressed by Roy Keane, a former Sunderland manager, who described the current Arsenal team as the worst he’d seen.
“I think it’s a very harsh judgment,” said Wenger, who was already under fire after the midweek 4-0 Champions League rout at the hands of AC Milan.
There was plenty in this FA Cup exit to fuel fans’ anger.
Sunderland may have relied on a deflected shot and an own-goal to claim their place in the quarter-finals but it was a thoroughly-deserved success.
Sunderland survived an early claim for a penalty to become the more committed and incisive team, although even their manager Martin O’Neill admitted they were aided by Arsenal playing the Champions League game midweek.
Wenger also pointed towards their defeat at AC Milan as a factor.
“It has been very difficult. We have played three successive away games in a week on three very difficult pitches, so I believe we have been very unfortunate.
“I felt we were a bit unlucky. It was a 100 per cent performance from us and their first shot was a goal. Then we had to chase the game, take a gamble and they caught us on the break for the second goal.”
While Wenger prepares for Tottenham, the focus of others is on what will happen after the season, with questions about the future of the manager and some of his players, notably Robin van Persie.
Wenger also framed a stinging response to those who have questioned why former players such as Patrick Vieira and Tony Adams are working for other clubs instead of lending expert back-up at Arsenal.
“At the moment, I get many lessons from many people who have managed zero clubs, zero games, zero Champions League games. I take it all on board, but don’t think that would have helped us win this game,” he insisted.
“We have played 15 years at the top level and in the top four. It is remarkable consistency and one day, when you manage a club, you will see it’s not easy.”
Another London side, Chelsea, will need a replay after they were held to 1-1 at home by Championship side Birmingham City.
Leicester City caused another shock as they won 2-1 at Norwich City, with David Nugent clinching victory with a fine finish 20 minutes from time.
Everton and Bolton both joined Leicester in the last eight.
Everton eased to a 2-0 win over Blackpool and Bolton won 2-0 at Millwall.
Liverpool and Tottenham play on Sunday.