Bayern Munich manager Jupp Heynckes has defended Arsenal counterpart Arsene Wenger following heavy criticism heaped on the Frenchman.
Wenger is looking down the barrel of an eighth season without any silverware but Heynckes, who takes his Bayern side to the Emirates this week for the Champions League Round of 16 first leg, believes the man in charge is not the man to blame for the shortcomings.
"You have to take into consideration that Arsenal are competing with teams like Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City," he said ahead of Tuesday's meeting.
"The way I see it, over the years they have been selling their best players whereas the other teams get in these world stars.
"If you have to compete with that I don't think it is fair to blame Arsene Wenger.
"Wenger is a great coach. You see the way his teams play.
"Arsenal has a lot of tradition and history. They play attractive football.
"If you take away the game against Blackburn (FA Cup defeat on the weekend) they have been very positive. They're fifth in the league. They will be a very difficult opponent for us tomorrow."
