Wenger backing for Benitez

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger today leapt to the defence of Rafael Benitez, labelling the criticism being hurled in the direction of the Liverpool manager 'excessive'.

The Reds are preparing for Sunday's clash with Manchester United after a run of four defeats, but victory on Sunday will reduce the gap between the two sides to just four points.

Wenger - who himself was criticised when Arsenal endured a poor start to last season - insists Benitez's record at Anfield deserves more respect.

"It is always excessive," said Wenger. "We are, with a big club, in a job where you know that the moment the team goes through a difficult period, you get more stick than you should.

"But we know in our job as well that it is all part of it. I feel sorry that he gets that because he does not deserve it.

"But we all basically understand within this job, that it is part of the rules.

"In a big club, you need to be extremely strong because you get a lot of negative vibes.

"When you do not start well in the race for the Premier League, it's all negative around you.

"What is happening to Liverpool today happened to us last year. Every single question is negative for the whole season. You need to be extremely strong inside the club to deal with that."