Defiant Wenger has faith in signings

Under-pressure Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says he has confidence in the signings he made before the transfer window closed and has backed them to show their experience in the second half of the season.

It may not be what Gunners fans want to hear, however, with the club currently struggling in 15th place in the table and many wanting results now. But Wenger, who just about maintains the support of the majority of the club's fans, is asking for patience. Anyone following the football betting prices (http://betting.betfair.com/football/) will know their title hopes have gone, so supporters are unlikely to

It has been a fairly wretched few months at the Emirates but the Frenchman believes now is the time for positivity as his new signings begin to bed in.

The summer departures of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri stung Arsenal badly and there remains a big question mark over the long-term commitment of Robin van Persie as well to further increase the gloom.

Plenty of experience did arrive among the new signings, notably through the likes of Per Mertesacker, Mikel Arteta and Yossi Benayoun but doubts persist over whether they are good enough to get the Gunners firing again.

Wenger himself, though, is sure he has bought well. "Overall we have more experience and this could be important if we are in a strong position should we have interesting challenges in March or April," he said.

"I'm very happy with the signings we made and my challenge now is to prove that I made the right decisions. I'm confident that we have, but only the results will tell."

The embarrassing 8-2 defeat at Manchester United and losses at Blackburn and north London rivals Spurs have cranked up the pressure on Wenger, with some fans feeling that, after 15 years in charge and three Premier League titles won, now is the time for him to step aside. The Premier League betting prices (http://betting.betfair.com/football/premiership/) certainly suggest he faces an uphill struggle this season.

Publicly, he retains the full backing of the club's owner, Stan Kroenke, but Wenger, as he acknowledges, will ultimately be judged on results - and how those summer signings fare - over what looks like being a crucial winter for him