Arsenal Football Club held their AGM today to announce a few facts and figures for the year, but perhaps there is one comment that stood out from the rest. As well as being able to talk through the thoughts of those in high positions at Arsenal, the floor is also opened to journalist questions. Arsenal Chairman Sir Chips Keswick has today revealed that the Arsenal board have spoken regarding Wenger’s contract with the club and that they do plan on holding talks with Arsene Wenger about his future with Arsenal.
The news will receive mixed reviews from the fans because although the Gunners are on a good run of form, it won’t stop some fans from being firm WengerOut supporters. Arsene Wenger has of course hinted on various occasions already this season, that this year may be his last in charge of Arsenal. However that may all change before the end of the season, largely depending on what has happened over the course of the campaign.
To revel what Sir Keswick said in full, the chairman announced: “We all recognise the fantastic contribution Arsene has made to club in the last 20 years. We are confident about his ability to take us forward. We will sit down and discuss the future at the appropriate time but our focus is on maintaining the current run and competing for trophies.”
Now although they could mean that the Board just intends on sitting down with Wenger to discuss what he plans on doing next, I think it’s far more likely that if things do go well for the Gunners in this campaign, then the club will be more than content with laying another contract offer on the table. Wenger himself may want to go at the end of the season for all we know, however he has previously stated that he will only leave his helm at the club when he feels he is no longer wanted or capable of doing the job expected of him.
Personally I think that no matter the outcome of the season, it’s still likely that Wenger will be offered a new deal. Albeit it may not be as long as previous contract offers, but I fully expect an offer to be on the table for Le Prof purely because of the recognition and support he gets from the Board. Whether or not that’s an opinion the majority of fans will agree with, remains to be seen.
By AH