Wenger's keeping cards close to his chest

And in his own way, he showed himself yet again to be fiercely defensive of his players.

Not in the same brusque manner of Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, but with the same impact.

As usual, he did not pin Saturday's defeat on any individual and when it came to debating the need for a player that Thierry Henry called "the fox in the box" that Arsenal need, Wenger was quick to speak well of Sylvain Wiltord.

The £13million signing from Bordeaux is not, by all accounts, the easiest character to handle and was singled out by many for his sterile contribution at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

Wenger is aware informed comment in France has linked Wiltord with a move to Paris St Germain, but was swift to declare: "I still believe in him. Everybody was very hard on him at the moment, but I feel he will get better and better."

On the more collective front, Wenger is a past master of accentuating the positive. He has done it from the day he walked into the club and he has not changed as his side go in search of the one point from the two games still to play that will enable Arsenal to avoid the inconvenience of playing a Champions League qualifier.

He admitted: "It was a big blow to lose the FA Cup Final, but I also have mixed feelings. It has been one of the most complete seasons since I came here. We reached the Champions League quarter-finals and were close to beating Valencia, who are in the final.

"We reached the FA Cup Final and we can still finish second in the league. I don't think the club needs to be ashamed. It was a failure to win a trophy, but not a failure of overall performance. You must be realistic. Many clubs would pay fortunes to be in our situation." And when it was put to him Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier would cash in the two, possibly three cups, his side could win after tomorrow's UEFA Cup Final against Alaves, for a guaranteed Champions League spot, Wenger was in no doubt.

He said: "Of course they would. I can understand the hunger for trophies. Trophies are what I want and that is why I was very disappointed on Saturday. But I feel it is my responsibility first to get the club to the top level, then to win trophies and then to be realistic enough not to destroy the team.

"We are so close to the top, top, top and it would be irresponsible not to have positive feeling about this team. They have grown this season from January until May. "

There is every chance the one point Arsenal need will come at Newcastle tonight - where injured Brazilian pair Silvinho and Edu are the only members of the first-team squad not travelling. Then Wenger will pursue the targets he has identified as the men to help Arsenal break the Manchester United stranglehold on the title.

In between he will conclude the talks about his own future that will result in a two-year extension to a contract due to expire next June.

All the dealings will be done quietly and effectively and positively.

Wenger, despite his professorial image, is an ambitious man and a man who will not succumb to the results of radio phone-in votes.

He could have left Arsenal before now and secured wealth not obtainable even in the mega-rich Premiership, but he loves Arsenal and he loves to win.

Be sure that the public perception is merely a camouflage and he will not be at peace with himself until he proves once again he is a winner.