Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has urged the club's fans to stay united in their support of the team, as if they do not the Emirates outfit will not be able to compete with the biggest sides in the Premier League.

The French coach spoke at the North London club's AGM on Thursday, and also stated he understood some of the supporters' reservations and concerns over the future of the team.

"I believe the values we defend are highly defendable," Wenger stated.

"We want to do things with class and be very brave. Courage is a quality I admire, because it is highly needed in the modern world.

"I can see a lot of fear and discontent among you - and I can understand that because we live in a world where we fight with people who have extremely high resources.

"We can compete by trying to be intelligent and to be united, because football is very difficult to be consistent and we have been more consistent than anybody in the world in the last 15 years.

"To stay at the top, top level we have to stay united.

"That does not mean I am not to be criticised, or the board - we accept that, but we have to show to the outside we are united. If you are not, then you have no chance."

Wenger also stated that he was confident that star striker Robin van Persie, who has 18 months left on his contract, would soon sign a new deal.

"Robin has 18 months to go and I'm confident he'll sign a new deal. I'm always confident," Wenger admitted.

 By Gareth McKnight

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