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Arsene Wenger has accused the media of "brainwashing" fans at the Emirates into believing Arsenal are in crisis.

Wenger insists the angry scenes when Arsenal fans turned on their own team were whipped up by negative coverage in newspapers, radio and TV.

Gunners boss Wenger seems certain to get his first big deal done as Newcastle midfielder Yohan Cabaye's representatives were in London last night to discuss a £16m deal.

That should ease the fan unrest at the lack of any big signings on top of another win at Fulham but Wenger says some of the criticism has been over top.

Wenger said: "The media in general has brainwashed a little bit the Emirates. Maybe rightly so, I don't know, because we haven't won trophies for years everything is negative. But we have to live with that and focus on playing well football.

"We lost one game since the beginning of March. That's why it was a shock. But we won in the Champions League at Bayern Munich. We won at Fenerbahce. It is just like that at the moment.

"People always want news. We live in a world which is very interesting but very excessive. When people are not loyal, you are critical. When people are loyal, you say they have been there too long. It's always excessive reaction. The people in charge need to keep their distance from that more than ever.

"Someone told me I have had 956 games for Arsenal. I care about this club and when we had last week's result I was deeply disappointed. This is not a personal trip. This is about doing things well for the club I love and I am happy we are back on track."

(Image: Getty)

Wenger's assertion that the media are to blame will again be a major talking point but frustrated fans held up banners at the Villa game urging him to spend some of the £70m-plus in the Arsenal transfer budget.

They are close to a deal with Newcastle for Cabaye after a breakthrough is believed to have been made after Arsenal's first offer of £10.2m was turned down.

Wenger is still in the market for a new striker, forward and a keeper while free agent Mathieu Flamini is set to rejoin the club. They moved in for Karim Benzema, Angel Di Maria and Mesut Ozil and have also enquired about Wayne Rooney.

Wenger added: "If we can gain one, two or even three more, we will do it. They (the players) want to win the league. They enjoy playing together and this is the first year when we have not been traumatised by losing players."