Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger categorically said he has absolutely no desire to resign from his job, insisting he did not even for a moment consider ending his 16-year reign.
Wenger has been under the most pressure he has been since taking over at Arsenal, after another underwhelming season started to unravel with his team going out of the F.A. Cup as well as basically ending their Champions League chances.
Calls have been growing for the Frenchman to quit his post and let a fresh face take over an Arsenal side that has seen a drain in quality with each passing year.
However, asked directly if the thought of quitting had ever crossed his mind, Wenger said: "Never. Not one second.
"The love for the game and the love to win.
"I don't think that spark has anything to do with the length of your life. It's just that's how you are and you're motivated by how much you want to win and how much you're a winner.
"If I go out now and play one against one with you (a reporter), you will see that I will beat you and at least if I don't manage to beat you, I will want to beat you.
"That will not change as long as I can move. We can organise that if you want!"
Wenger, who uncharacteristically lost his cool at a press conference a few days back, insisted he would not change the club's track just because of the loss to Bayern Munich.
"What we need is to be united and strong, and not destabilised by people who have strong opinions after one game," Wenger said.
"What is important is that the club always goes with the guidelines we have and does not change direction every time we lose a big game. That would lead to a disaster.
"A bad period for a club is also a good opportunity to show how united and strong you are. We have a good history of that at Arsenal.
"I feel we live in a world of emotion, of excess, and it is down to people who have responsibilities to put that into perspective, keep solid and keep guiding the club in the right way."
Unfortunately, it has not been one game though. Arsenal have been underwhelming for nearly eight years now. Of course Wenger had several financial restrictions, and it can be argued only someone like the astute Frenchman could have kept Arsenal competitive considering the lack of money he had to spend.
That according to the manager himself is going to change, with Wenger revealing he had plenty of funds available and would have used them had he found the right player in January.
"I think, now, we are in a stronger situation where we can spend some money." Wenger told the club's official website. "We went out to spend money at Christmas but we didn't find the players.
"I'm not reluctant to spend. First of all, we only had money recently. Secondly, in England there is a way of thinking that every problem is sorted out just by spending money -- but that's not always the case. If it was, the same teams would win the Champions League every year.
"I believe that the problem today is not the money, it about finding the talent that strengthens your team.
"I also believe we have to be faithful to what this club is about, which is to give a chance to the young players we educate -- that is vital. Therefore (we should only) bring in the players who really give us a plus.
"If we find tomorrow a player of top, top, top quality, we will take him."
Wenger has been saying this exact line of having the money, but not finding the right player for some time now. Sure, there is a lot more money now, and instead of a Gervinho, there might be a Stefan Jovetic on the way.
What needs to be sorted is the fact that when a big player leaves, Wenger needs to bring in an equally if not superior player in his stead; only then will Arsenal move forward, instead of constantly competing for, what is by Arsenal's own high standards, mediocrity.
