Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has leapt to the defence of under-fire winger Andrey Arshavin and claims that he loves the Russian as a player.

Wenger was criticised for bringing Arshavin on for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain during the 2-1 defeat to Manchester United last Sunday.

However, the Frenchman said that the reaction did not change his view of the former Zenit St Petersburg player.

Wenger told the The Sun: "I love Arshavin as a man and as a player.

"I don't think the fans were too much against him, it was more they wanted Chamberlain to stay on the pitch.

"I didn't take it as booing of Arshavin, I just thought they wanted to keep Chamberlain on the pitch, which we can understand."

Arsenal are currently fifth in the Premier League.