Arsenal manager takes a jibe at club’s second biggest shareholder, Alisher Usmanov

Arsene Wenger has hit out at the club’s seconds highest shareholder Alisher Usmanov for criticising him after the 1-2 loss to Manchester United at the Emirates on Saturday.

Usmanov who owns 30% of the club’s second highest shares hinted that the Frenchman could be the problem with the club as his principles may be restricting the progress of the club.

''I like Arsene for his principles but principles are a sort of restriction.

''Wenger is one of the greatest coaches but he can make mistakes and as you age it is more difficult to accept one’s mistakes. Maybe it is a problem,’’ Usmaov told CNBC.

In a response, Wenger jibed at the Russian business tycoon ahead of the club’s UEFA Champions League tie against Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday.

''First of all, the 18 years I have been here I have shown that I can take criticism and everybody has the right to have an opinion.

''Having said that, we have values at this club. The first one is when we go through a difficult patch, we show solidarity. That is a very important one.

''The second one is that, when you have something to say to each other, we say it face-to-face. We don’t need to go to the newspapers.’’

''I don’t take it personally at all,'' Wenger added. ''It is an opinion that I respect but when you’re from this club, you’re from this club.

''What is important is how close we are together inside the club and how much we can respond to people who question our quality.

''I personally feel that there’s a very strong bond inside the team and the club, and that this team will have a very strong season. I am ready to bet with you on that.''