Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has hit back at comments by former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes, who claimed the Gunners were “a million miles away” from challenging for the Premier League title.

Arsenal tackle a rampant Manchester City side — who won 3-0 at Old Trafford in midweek — this afternoon following the disappointment of conceding a late own goal in a 2-2 draw against Swansea.

That match had seemed set to draw a line under the 6-0 humiliation at Chelsea which ruined Wenger’s 1,000th match in charge, with Arsenal coming from behind to lead with two quick second-half goals.

In his role as a TV pundit, Scholes launched a fierce attack on Arsenal under Wenger, claiming they had “midfield players with no discipline” and adding that “there are no leaders” at the north London club.

Wenger insists his squad, which has been hit by injuries to key men Theo Walcott, Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey, have what it takes to compete with the best.

“If six points is a million miles away, then I don’t know what the translation from a mile into a point is,” Wenger said on Friday morning.

“Everybody has opinions, people who have managed zero games have opinions and we have to accept that.

“What you live with is what you do on the pitch and all the rest is only opinions.

“We are in a society where there are thousands of opinions every day and some go for you and some go against you. You have to live with that.”

Wenger added: “We have not given up (on the title), believe me, and we can show that on Saturday. It is our attitude that will decide that.

“Champions keep going when everybody else would give up. We have an opportunity to show that we have that mentality.”

Victory moves Arsenal level on points with City.