Skip to content

Report: Wenger decides to stay with Arsenal

Action Images via Reuters / Andrew Couldridge Livepic

Despite plane flyovers and slogans daubed on bedsheets calling for his exit, Arsene Wenger has decided he would like to stay with Arsenal, reports The Telegraph's Jeremy Wilson and John Percy.

It's understood that a two-year deal was on the table for the Frenchman some time ago, and The Mirror's John Cross believes the new contract will not be a short-term measure. The Arsenal hierarchy is backing Wenger to turn around the reeling outfit's fortunes.

The final signing off on terms will still be the result of a "mutual" decision, but Wilson and Percy state "an announcement now appears more a question of timing than intent."

Wenger was guarded about his future after his side's latest mishap on Saturday. The Gunners were shamed in a 3-1 loss at West Bromwich Albion, leaving them with a six-point gap behind the coveted top four. It was also a match which saw two fan-funded messages being dragged by planes - one backing the manager, the other not - and numerous banners in The Hawthorns' away end asking him to leave.

"Don't worry, I know what I will do in my future so you will soon know, very soon," Wenger said post-match.

The Baggies setback marked a run of six losses in Arsenal's last nine matches. Victories over Hull City and non-league sides Sutton United and Lincoln City have been recorded in that spell, but those results offered scant respite from a run that has included eliminations from the Champions League and FA Cup.

This downturn in form - arguably the worst in Wenger's tenure - has threatened to ruin the manager's legacy in his 21st season. Previously lauded for introducing exciting attacking football and new training and scouting practices to English football - with his crowning moment coming in the unbeaten 2003-04 Premier League season - he has since seen Arsenal limp to seven consecutive Champions League Round of 16 exits and now 13 seasons that have seen just three FA Cups collected by the storied north London club.

Related - Rebuilding Arsenal: Time to excavate the Wenger regime and start anew

The respective futures of Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil are still unknown, but it appears the former is the likeliest to depart the Emirates Stadium, with Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus rumoured to be interested. The Telegraph alleges Ozil recently turned down a deal exceeding £200,000 a week, with the 28-year-old apparently holding out for something in the region of £300,000 a week.

Both players' deals expire in the summer of 2018.

Cross says Ozil trained on Friday ahead of Saturday's loss at West Brom, but didn't feature in the trip due to a hamstring issue. Despite this, the midfielder is fully expected to link up with the Germany squad for the friendly with England on Wednesday, and then the World Cup qualifier in Azerbaijan four days later.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox