Friday 15 January 2016 13:03, UK
Arsene Wenger says Arsenal go to Stoke on the verge of a "fantastic season" a year after he was abused by his own fans in the city.
A group of Arsenal supporters harangued Wenger at Stoke railway station as he boarded a train for London in the wake of a 3-2 defeat at the Britannia in December 2014.
The Gunners turned their season around, winning 16 of their remaining 23 Premier League games to finish third before beating Aston Villa to retain the FA Cup.
Wenger's side are now preparing for a trip to their bogey ground as leaders and title favourites, and they will again travel by train.
"We travel in what we think is the best and the shortest way," the manager said. "You want as well not to be isolated too much because you want contact with people who love the club, you want contact with the fans.
"I took it as people who were upset because we lost a game and didn't take it personally. It was my function and the fact that I'm responsible for the club that was attacked.
"I was sad and upset more by the result than by the individual reactions of people, which I can understand. When you love a club, you want the results to be positive.
"That problem will be more common now. I think it will be a problem in the next two or three years. I see it in France and many countries."
Wenger's immediate problem is dealing with Stoke, who have lost just once at home to Arsenal since they were promoted to the Premier League in 2008.
Mark Hughes has added flair to the strong foundations laid by Tony Pulis but results have not suffered, with Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United all on the wrong end of defeats at the Britannia this season.
"They have moved forward," Wenger said. "They can create and play. It's a good challenge for us. We have struggled in recent years, but they also have a good home record against United, City.
"We are in a position where we can make our season a fantastic season."
