Arsene Wenger pointed at Liverpool and Real Madrid's lack of league success in defending his Arsenal record

Arsene Wenger insists calls for him to leave Arsenal have not been taken to heart and even he hates himself after losing.

The 67-year-old Gunners boss is yet to reveal whether he will extend his 20-year reign when his current contract expires in the summer, but has been the subject of protests following Arsenal's slip out of the Premier League's top four and their Champions League exit.

Arsenal have finished in the top four in every campaign under Wenger since 1996, but sit six points off the Champions League qualification spots with just five games left to play this season.

However, ahead of facing Jose Mourinho's Manchester United on Sunday, live on Sky Sports 1 HD, Wenger insists he is not taking his critics' anger personally.

"I am like everybody - I prefer to be loved than hated but I can take a distance with that," said Wenger, speaking to Norwegian television channel TV2.

A 'Wenger out' banner was flown over the Hawthorns during Arsenal's defeat to West Brom in March

"I know as well it is not the person itself, it is the fact the manager does not win the games. They want to win and I can make a difference in that.

"I don't take it too personally. In fact, I personally hate myself - the manager - more than anybody when I don't win the games. I am a very bad loser."

Arsenal have not won the league since 2004 but have lifted the FA Cup in two of the last three campaigns, and Wenger pointed to the lack of domestic dominance of other big clubs to show how difficult continued success can be.

"People want to win," he added. "If you don't win the championship, the FA Cup, the Champions League, it is absolutely disastrous. But if you look back in the last three years, we won the FA Cup twice and finished second, third and fourth.

Ex-Arsenal striker Charlie Nicholas says Arsene Wenger does not know his best team, ahead of facing Manchester United on Sunday Ex-Arsenal striker Charlie Nicholas says Arsene Wenger does not know his best team, ahead of facing Manchester United on Sunday

"We are in the FA Cup final again. Overall, I believe we are not happy because you want to win absolutely everything.

"But you have to accept as well that Real Madrid has not won their championship for five years. They are big clubs - it is difficult. Liverpool hasn't won it for over 20. Just because you turn up doesn't mean you win. It is difficult to win."