Arsene Wenger’s odds on him staying at Arsenal have been cut further, with an official announcement due by Wednesday.
Wenger met with the club’s owner Stan Kroenke on Monday, in a meeting that was set to finalise the future plans of the Frenchman – who has been in charge of the club since 1996.
This season has failed to see Arsenal qualify for the Champions League since Wenger’s arrival and a sizeable contingent of the club’s support want him to leave.
Kroenke is one of Wenger’s biggest fans, and he was clearly delighted with their latest FA Cup success over Chelsea at the weekend – which made Wenger the most successful FA Cup winner of all time, which also made Arsenal the most successful FA Cup team in their history.
Kroenke offered Wenger a new deal earlier this season, but it remained unsigned – however, the two met on Monday to thrash out his future, after which point the decision would be relayed to other board members at a meeting on Tuesday – but it is understood it was agreed he would stay.
Wenger admitted after the cup final win that he believed he was the right man to take the club forward.
“I do,” he said when asked if he was the man for Arsenal still.
“You can’t make 35 years at the top level if you believe you’re not the right man to do the job.”
“I think it’s down to the board members if I am the right man to lead this club further and for me to decide if I am the right man to lead this club further. It’s not about popularity, it’s about competence.”
Arsene Wenger Specials with Ladbrokes:
1/3 Arsene Wenger in charge of Arsenal for the first Premier League game of 2017/18 season
9/4 Arsene Wenger NOT in charge of Arsenal for the first Premier League game of 2017/18 season