Wenger to extend Arsenal contract: The case for and against

Arsene Wenger '100 per cent' sure of keeping Arsenal job

29 March

Under-fire Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has moved to snuff out calls for him to stand down at the end of the season, branding criticism of his leadership as "unwelcome" and insisting he will still be in charge at the Emirates next season.

"I have no doubt because I am committed and when I do something I do it 100 per cent. I am always committed to give my best as long as I am at the club," he said.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

"I don't worry too much about all the rest, what people say. All the rest is judgments, opinions and that is linked with the beliefs from the last result or the last disappointment or the last happiness. In my job, you focus on what is important and that's to perform. My future is my future."

Wenger will celebrate 20 years as Arsenal manager next term and has made it clear he intends to honour his current contract which runs until 2017.

He has the backing of the Emirates board, even though the latter years of his reign have been relatively barren. The Gunners have not won the league since 2004, prompting some fans to call for the manager's head.

Nevertheless, he was given a boost over Easter when Alisher Usmanov, the club's second-largest shareholder, sided with majority owner Stan Kroenke in giving his backing.

However, there is still "deep fan frustration" at the Emirates, says the Daily Telegraph. Supporters are angry the team appear to have been overtaken by Tottenham Hotspur and Leicester City in the title race after a season when the Gunners' usual title rivals all slipped up.

They believe "the same mistakes are being repeated both on the pitch and in the transfer market, despite funds of around £75m being available", adds the paper.

But Wenger hit back and said: "I think that the criticism during the season is not very welcome when you fight for the championship."

Arsene Wenger: Usmanov support is 'major boost' for Arsenal boss

26 March

Arsene Wenger has been under increasing pressure to step down as Arsenal boss after nearly 20 years in charge but has received an unexpected vote of confidence from the Gunners' second-largest shareholder, Alisher Usmanov - usually a vocal critic of the current Emirates regime.

The Uzbek billionaire, who owns 30 per cent of the club, does not see eye to eye with majority shareholder Stan Kroenke on many issues. However, they do agree on the vexed question of the team manager.

In an interview with Russian TV, Usmanov said: "The club must retain its major symbol and main asset – manager Arsene Wenger."

He acknowledged that Arsenal's failure to win the league since 2004 was causing unrest among supporters, but added: "I believe that Wenger is a great coach and Arsenal have to give him the opportunity to plan the succession process and leave his legacy when he deems it necessary.

"It is very important for the club to maintain the principles that were established by those people who created the victories. Arsenal need Arsene Wenger."

His comments are a blow to the "Wenger out" campaign. "Although Usmanov has only 30 per cent of Arsenal's shares and could not single-handedly force Wenger's departure, his intervention is significant as it leaves those fans who do want change without a major club figure to express their views," says the Daily Telegraph.

The Uzbek has "previously irked" the Arsenal boss by demanding star signings and more silverware, says the Daily Mail. "But his comments signal a change in opinion and will come as a boost for Wenger."

Arsene Wenger: Ronald Koeman tipped to take over when Arsenal boss leaves

23 March

Arsene Wenger will not be hounded out of Arsenal by angry fans and will leave on his own terms, claims Harry Redknapp.

The former Tottenham Hotspur manager told the Daily Express he did not enjoy seeing his old adversary being jeered by his own supporters and said it would be sad if Wenger left the club with abuse ringing in his ears.

"He knows when to go, whether it's this year, next year, but when it's time to go I hope he picks the right time," said Redknapp, who is currently managing the Jordan national team on a temporary basis.

"Arsene will go when he feels like it. I hate to see him get skinned because he has done an amazing job for so many years. I'd hate to see him go when he's getting grief because he's been a great manager of Arsenal."

If Wenger does leave at the end of the season, Southampton boss Ronald Koeman will be the favourite to replace him, says The Sun.

With Arsenal "all but certain to fall short" in the title race, "the Arsenal hierarchy may consider their options in the not-too-distant future", says the paper. "If that happens, Koeman looks to be the man to take on the high-pressure role."

It adds that former Arsenal greats Dennis Bergkamp and Thierry Henry are also being tipped as possible managers, despite their lack of experience, along with Patrick Vieira, who recently took over at New York City FC.

Fifth favourite is another Dutchman, Frank de Boer, who is in charge of Ajax, where Bergkamp is working as a coach.