Hull City boss Bruce gives embattled Arsene Wenger his backing

Some national reports have suggested that the veteran boss will be under serious pressure and could even be sacked if Arsenal bow out of the cup in East Yorkshire in tomorrow’s fifth-round replay, but Bruce is having none of it.

Bruce, who will field a much-changed side tomorrow, said: “How anybody can criticise is beyond me with what he has achieved and done.

“I think that typified it at the weekend when people criticise him and they came and responded as they did. It was typical Arsenal and Arsene Wenger.

“From inside the game, you are not going to hear people criticise him. When you are in management for as long as he’s done and what he’s achieved, who is anybody to criticise him?

“I find that really appalling that people can criticise him. He’s never be really able to compete at the top end like everyone else he’s at a top club. But he’s kept them in the top four for 17 or 18 years.

“So for me, you only get one thing, which is respect. I think he deserves a bit more than what he gets dished out.”