Tuesday 1 March 2016 15:17, UK
Arsene Wenger says Arsenal will use criticism of their performance against Manchester United to fuel their bid for the Premier League title.
Sunday's 3-2 defeat to Manchester United led some pundits - including Sky Sports' Graeme Souness - to question the Gunners' appetite for a battle.
But he says his players will prove their resolve - starting with Wednesday night's game with Swansea at the Emirates - and suggested the level of criticism was not justified.
"That's what we want to do - use and transform the negatives around us into positives and create even more solidarity," he said.
"Let's not go overboard, we don't play to be relegated, we play to fight for the Premier League so that's why we have to put the criticism in the right place.
"I don't want to respond to individual criticism. I think people are a bit too emotional and we want to put things into perspective by analysing things a bit more in a neutral way. This club is respected all over the world despite what people say.
"I am never surprised by the criticism that comes - that is part of the media today and part of the opinions is always a bit excessive and emotional but we have to deal with that and I don't complain about that."
Wenger said the 2-0 Champions League defeat to Barcelona last Tuesday dented his players' confidence ahead of the Old Trafford match.
"We gave a lot against Barcelona and that certainly had an impact on our belief against Manchester United," he said.
"We're not happy with the result. We had two lapses of focus that we paid for."
He added: "We are not dwelling on results and we are focused on Swansea. Every home game is very important."
Swansea are in a battle of their own - against relegation. And Wenger expects a tough evening against them.
"Swansea will fight very hard, with great commitment and be very organised defensively," he said.
Danny Welbeck has scored two goals in two Premier League games since returning from injury, but Wenger says he does not want to push the striker too hard.
"I will have to be cautious with him going into the Swansea game," he said.
