ARSENE WENGER has hit back at Arsenal's biggest shareholder for publicly criticising the long-serving manager.

Alisher Usmanov used a US television interview to suggest that Wenger's mistakes were never properly evaluated.

And the Uzbek tycoon claimed this stood in the way of them challenging Europe's leading sides.

His comments came after Sunday's 2-1 home loss to Manchester United that leaves Arsenal 15 points behind Chelsea in the Barclays Premier League. Ahead of tonight's visit of Borussia Dortmund to the Emirates Stadium, Wenger said: "During my 18 years here I've shown that I can take criticism.

"Everybody has the right to have an opinion.But we have values at this club. The first one is that when we go through a difficult patch, we show solidarity.

"The second is that when we have something to say to each other, we say it face to face. We don't need to go to the newspapers."

As for Usmanov's comments, Wenger continued: "I don't take them personally. It is an opinion that I respect.

"But when you are from this club, you are in or out, you can't be both.

"What is important is how close we are inside the club and how we can respond to people who question our quality."

The Frenchman added: "When you have been in football for as long as I have you don't understand any more what crisis means. I must get to a dictionary and look it up again."

"I feel there is a very strong bond inside this team and it will have a very strong season.

"I believe in what I do and I especially believe in my players and in their quality and spirit."

Wenger confirmed midfielder Jack Wilshere will see a specialist to assess the seriousness of ankle ligament damage suffered against United.

He added: "They have told us he will be out for the next few games."