Gazidis: Wenger's contract not in doubt

Chief Executive Officer Ivan Gazidis has said that there is no worry over manager Arsène Wenger's new deal at the club, even though the Frenchman's deal expires in January.

There was suggestion in the written press that Wenger had not only agreed to a new deal, but that he had actually signed it. However, it's now revealed that these reports were premature and that negotiations had not even concluded.

Speaking after the 4-0 win over Fulham on Sunday, a result which guaranteed us Champions League football for next season, Wenger confirmed his contentment at the club but revealed he has not actually agreed a new contract yet.

Wenger said: "At the moment I have not extended. I am very happy with my club and I am always respecting my contracts. But if I extend it and when I don't know yet."

Mr Gazidis reassures us that there is no doubt that Wenger will be putting pen to paper before January. When we last spoke about an extension for the boss, he said that he would only be opening talks in the autumn, preferring instead to focus on our title challenge at the time.

The manager turned 60 last year and has just completed his 14th season in charge of Arsenal. There are definitely no plans to replace Wenger, despite suffering yet another season without a trophy.

Mr Gazidis said: "I think everybody knows that the board has always backed Arsène and believes in him totally.

"Arsène, in return has a great love for the Club. There's no dimming in his desire and I've no doubt that we'll extend his contract, but we'll do that very quietly and with the minimum of fuss.

"When it's appropriate to make an announcement we will do so."

The delay is nothing new - Wenger typically leaves the signing of any new deal till the very last moment.

User Comments

User Comments

• Got something to say?
• Read comments

Vs chelsea