Wenger: I Know The Cheaters

Wenger says he's met many people during his career who cheat in order to achieve success, but for him morals come before landing titles.

Arsenal are top of the Premier League and into the quarter-finals of the Champions League, and the Frenchman is determined to succeed with integrity.

No Respect For Cheats

“I know people who have won trophies and I don’t rate them," he said. “I can give you examples of people who have won the Olympic 100 metres and they have cheated. I know people in football who have done exactly the same.

"But for me, sport is more than just winning trophies. Winning cannot be everything. What is important for me is to play in a fair way and in a way that people will enjoy. Of course winning is important - but so is moral integrity.

"A trophy is something you can show only for the moment. But what remains after that is the way you have played and the way you have behaved. These are also important.”

Let Mourinho Talk

Wenger was responding indirectly to jibes by Mourinho earlier this week that "Arsenal are a unique team. Their coach hasn’t won anything for years but he is still an idol.”

But Wenger, who was cost the French title back in his Monaco days by a corrupt Marseille side, says it goes beyond this. "I let other people talk. I will talk for myself," he said. "I try to do my job as well as I can. If it’s not good enough, people will let me know.”

As for Arsenal's chances of winning their first ever European Cup, Wenger believes the odds are bettert than ever. “I’m convinced that this is an era of dominance by English clubs," he explained. "We will find an English club in the final this year," he added before stressing his immediate priority was this weekend's league game. "It’s easy to be up for a game in the San Siro. But are we up for a cold day in Wigan? We are.”