Arsene Wenger rubbishes reports claiming Hector Bellerin and Boro Primorac will leave Arsenal

Arsene Wegner went on the defensive on Thursday as he dismissed reports surrounding Arsenal as “fake news.” 

The under-fire Arsenal manager angrily refused to discuss the behaviour of a small group of fans who have staged protests calling for him to resign before their last home games against Bayern Munich and Lincoln.  And he looked totally bemused when moved to defend the future of his long-time right-hand man Boro Primorac. 

Wenger has worked alongside the Bosnian-Croat since 1994 and he denied reports Primorac will leave Arsenal before he does, with Turkish side Konyaspor reportedly keen to make him their next manager. 

Wenger insisted: “That’s a complete invention. You say anything these days and everybody takes it without checking any information. 

“Everybody just takes and takes it and makes it a a subject. It’s not serious. Fake news.” 

The French coach was then asked if he was aware of Barcelona's continued interest in re-signing their former youth player Hector Bellerin, who has developed into a senior Spain international under Wenger's management. 

Arsenal might struggle to hold on to players such as Alexis Sanchez this summer, but there is no way Wenger will allow one of the best young defenders in Europe to slip away so easily.

He stated: “No. He just extended his contract. It’s an unbelievable amount of years to go. I believe again it’s very difficult to take these things seriously.” 

What Wenger is taking seriously is this Saturday's Premier League trip to West Brom, with a win essential against a traditionally tough opponent in the Midlands manager Tony Pulis. 

Arsenal go into the weekend in danger of missing out on the Champions League and a top four finish for the first time in Wenger's two-decade reign.

They trail Liverpool by five points and can not afford to lose despite having two games in hand.  “For us it’s vital, of course,” Wenger said. “It’s a strange championship this season because there’s no continuity at the moment. 

“So, you don’t really know where you stand. You have not the same number of games, you have not the continuity home and away.

"What is for sure is that we are in a position where we can’t waste points. 

“You can never afford to lose anyway. It’s true that it is a tough game because West Brom is traditionally always a very difficult game, but as well it’s an opportunity for us to come back to the position that is much closer to Chelsea." 

Asked if a Champions League place and FA Cup win would satisfy his detractors, he said: "Look, nothing is good enough any more, so anyway, you try to do as well as you can."