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Arsene Wenger and assistant Steve Bould. Getty images
Off the bench

Arsene Wenger dismisses reported rift with assistant Steve Bould

The Arsenal boss insists he and his right-hand man are getting along just fine, despite reports.

ARSENAL BOSS Arsene Wenger has denied reports that he has fallen out with assistant manager Steve Bould.

The Gunners have been in disappointing form so far this season and sit seventh in the Premier League, 15 points off the pace set by Manchester United.

The north London outfit also fell to an embarrassing defeat at the hands League Two Bradford in the League Cup on Tuesday night, losing on penalties to that side who sit 65 places below them in the football league pyramid.

Reports of disharmony among the back-room staff began to circulate after the loss at the Coral Windows Stadium, with players allegedly worried about a lack of communication between the Frenchman and Bould, who replaced Pat Rice in the summer.

However the 63-year-old was defiant over the claims, which he labelled as ‘a lot of lies’, and assured supporters of the club that all the staff are working together.

“We are a united staff and cannot control lies which are written,” Wenger said. ”When our results are not good we have to take that on the chin. To face a lot of lies is less acceptable.

“We are top professional people. What is important is what happens tomorrow, not what happened yesterday. We are sorry for that (Bradford result) but what is important is the next game.”

Arsenal travel to relegation candidates Reading in the Premier League on Monday as they look to bounce back from the humiliating cup exit.

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