'I am not an angel', says Wenger

London, Dec 6(ANI): Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has admitted that he is no angel and was relieved to end a difficult week on a high.

Wenger was panned for refusing to shake hands with Manchester City manager Mark Hughes after being knocked out of the Carling Cup this week.

Many of his fellow managers spoke out about his lack of sportsmanship, but he did his duty with Tony Pulis after beating Stoke City 2-0.

"It is a relief after the week I have had. And it is a relief for the team, especially. I want the team to be successful. The defeat against Chelsea and Sunderland was hard to take and I will not talk about the Carling Cup," News of the World quoted Wenger, as saying.

"I am not an angel. I do not want to say that. I explained what I did and why I did it and I maintain what I did. I do not want to make too much of a fuss about it. I never spoke about any other manager after the game in the press conference of his behaviour. I just said that the ceremony of courtesy is important but the real courtesy is more important than the ceremony," he added.

Wenger further said that he is not convinced about midfielder Andriy Arshavin filling the boots of injured striker Robin van Persie on a permanent basis.

"I am convinced that Arshavin has good body power, movement and technique. It worked today. When it works they like it. He could have had two or three goals. Overall he did very well. I don't know if he is the answer to Van Persie's absence. I have to try it away from home," Wenger said.

"I had many technical players around him. They all penetrated from deep positions. At the moment we do not have too much choice. The win was needed," he added. (ANI)