Arsene Wenger hits back at Champions League criticism

Arsene Wenger has defended his players' performance in the Champions League clash against AC Milan last week.

The Gunners' hopes of reaching the quarter-finals of the elite competition are hanging by a thread following a 4-0 thrashing at the hands of the Italian giants.

"We always try to give our best," said Wenger. "Do you think the players did not want to perform in Milan?

"In the last three years, we have twice played Barcelona and once AC Milan. We did not go out against a nobody, and we are still not out."

Meanwhile, Arsenal are preparing for the North London derby against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.