A careless throwaway line by Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger issued at the end of his post-match press conference following the 2-2 draw with Chelsea at the Emirates has risked causing controversy and offending those who have had to deal with the aftermath of suicide.

Wenger speaking after the 2-2 draw with the West Londoners on Wednesday evening criticised the award of a soft penalty against his side as ‘farcical’ but it was what he said right at the end of the conference which could have caused offence to many.

Wenger, who had appeared visibly frustrated while he was being quizzed by journalists, was asked what he would have done had Blues’ substitute Davide Zappacosta’s late shot not thudded against the bar to make it 3-2 to the visitors.

He replied: “Maybe I would have commit suicide”.

In Wenger’s defence it has to be said it was a rueful remark rather than one intended to be taken seriously, however many fans thought his choice of words was extremely ill-advised and badly chosen.

Social media reacted to Wenger’s insensitive reaction by condemning him.

Twitter user @AFC_Glen responded: ‘Awful choice of words’.

Suicide is the biggest killer of young people – male and female – under 35 in the UK. In 2015, 1,659 young people took their own lives equating to more than four a day.