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It's crazy to question Arsene! Steve Bruce backs Arsenal's Wenger over 'unfair' criticism
HULL boss Steve Bruce has slammed suggestions that Arsene Wenger could be in line for the chop if the Gunners fail to qualify for Europe and don't win the FA Cup.
Bruce knows that his side will play a substantial role in whether Wenger achieves those aims as the two sides meet this week in the Premier League before facing off at Wembley for the FA Cup next month.
Wenger has been criticised for heavy losses to Premier League rivals this season and Bruce believes it is unfair to also question the Frenchman for the nature of victories over West Ham and Wigan in recent weeks.
He said: "Just when they needed a big couple of results they got them. You give great credit to the manager.
"It doesn't matter how they got them, they might not have played the 'Arsenal way' against Wigan last week or against West Ham but they've turned it around and won back-to-back games when they've needed to.
With his record how we're even questioning him baffles me.
"Just when they needed a couple of results they've got them and how often has Mr Wenger done that?
"For me, the manager gets unfair criticism. The guy has done an amazing job for the last 17 years...16 of those in the top four is a remarkable achievement considering he hasn't had the funds all the other big clubs have had.
"He's not everybody's cup of tea but the one thing you must say is his teams play a fantastic way and he's proved to be one of the greats as far as I'm concerned.
"He's not had the spending power of the big, huge clubs in Europe but he's always been competing - semi-finals, finals, the final of the Champions League.
"With his record how we're even questioning him baffles me."