Sunderland boss Steve Bruce has stated his respect for Arsene Wenger following criticism for Arsenal's slow start to the season.
Bruce, whose club currently sits one place behind the Gunners at 16th in the Premier League table, remarked that a lucklustre season opening shouldn't blemish 15 years of success.
"Listen, we are all open to criticism because of the job we are doing, but Arsene Wenger and what he has achieved, to criticise him is, for me, ridiculous.
"He has had a poor start for the first time in 20 years, is it? Certainly, he has qualified for [the UEFA Cup] or the Champions League in the last 14 or 15 and produced great teams.
"It gives us all hope, I have to say, if we have got the audacity to question Arsene Wenger. What he has achieved there, it's quite remarkable."
The Black Cats travel to the Emirates on Sunday to resume their league campaign.
> The Premier League sack race: Managers under pressure
Dan Saney
