Arsenal boss Arsène Wenger has backed Newcastle United interim manager Joe Kinnear to do a good job at St James’ Park.

Wenger, who is good friend with the Irishman, feels the former Wimbledon, Luton Town and Nottingham Forest boss was right to take his chance at the Tyneside club however, little stint it might be.

When Newcastle appointed Kinnear to steer the Toon out of trouble, it came as a surprise to many as popular perception was the possible arrival off an experienced personality to step into the role vacated by Kevin Keegan with the club in turmoil and owner Mike Ashley looking to sell the Premiership outfit.

It was not to be and Kinnear watched from the stands as the Magpies crashed to a 2-1 home loss to Blackburn as caretaker Chris Hughton had still been in charge last weekend. The 61-year-old’s first game in charge is this Sunday’s trip to Everton and it would mark his return after being out of the game for four years.

French tactician Wenger, however, believes it doesn’t matter and believes Kinnear has nothing to lose.

He said at Thursday’s press conference: “I know [him] very well and I like him personally,” said Wenger.

“I feel this criticism is unfair because you cannot ask somebody who is out of a job for four, five or six years and has an opportunity to show his quality to refuse this role.

“Joe is an optimist and he thinks ‘ok, I have the job for a short time but if I do well I might stay in here’. For somebody who has been out of a job for such a long time you cannot deny that opportunity to him.

“I believe he has done the right thing. He has the quality and the strengths to maybe turn people around and change their opinion about him.

“It’s a tough job but as well a job without any risk because the club is in such a bad situation you can only do well.”