'You wanted to kill me - but I'm still here': Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger hits back at critics ahead of Chelsea showdown

Arsene Wenger insists he is still standing despite the critics trying to “kill” him last season.

The Arsenal boss leads his club into battle against Chelsea in the Community Shield having defied calls for him to be axed.

Wenger, who signed a new two-year deal in May, joked: “I am sorry I am still here! I can understand that you want to kill me but at the moment, I survive.”

The Gunners boss - set to field record £44million striker Alexandre Lacazette - also took aim at the fans who for years derided his view of a top-four place as a trophy.

Arsenal begin this season out of the Champions League for the first time in over two decades at the club for Wenger. But they upset the odds to sink Chelsea in the FA Cup Final two months ago.

He added: “When we qualified for the Champions League, people told me: ‘But you didn’t win a trophy.’

“Now we won a trophy, and have not qualified for the Champions League, and it’s said to me: ‘Why are you not in the Champions League?’

“That’s normal to live with but I want to focus on my job and do as well as I can and win absolutely every competition.”