Steve Sidwell admits he has to prove the doubters wrong after winning his big-money move to Chelsea.
The former Reading midfielder told the Daily Mail: "There's been a lot of negativity about me joining Chelsea and it's disappointing when people out there, so-called friends, say: 'Well done, fantastic move but are you going to play?'
"I'd rather come here, give it a go and if it doesn't work out I'll hold my hands up and say I wasn't good enough. At least I've got the bottle to do it."
Those close to Sidwell say he has matured greatly during the last couple of years, both as a footballer and as a person, and has incredible belief in his own ability.
And the former England Under 21 midfielder knows full international recognition is sure to follow if he can prove himself at Stamford Bridge.
He said: "If I don't get into a squad on a Saturday, I'll try even harder in training the next week. Competition is something I thrive on.
"I knew coming to Chelsea was going to be a big, big challenge but there's one thing I can guarantee - when people put challenges in front of me I'm not one to lie down.
"If I get knocked back - and I've had a lot of knock-backs in my career so far - I get up and I'm still fighting. This won't change me at all. This will make me stronger."
Wenger gave Sidwell the usual "prove-me-wrong" rejection patter but could not have foreseen such an impressive response from the midfielder who drove Reading to the Championship title and was voted best player outside the Premiership.
Sidwell said: "Mr Wenger was honest and up front and I've a lot of respect for him. He said I should go out and show people what I could do on the pitch.
"I had a great education at Arsenal and I wouldn't change that for the world. If I was a kid now I would still go there with the coaches and training they have.
"But if anyone had said when I left Arsenal that I'd be playing for Chelsea in four or five years I would have said that was very unlikely."
