Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has admitted that his ‘preference’ is to stay with the club, but he is yet to make his mind up, and bookmakers remain convinced that he and star striker Alexis Sanchez will remain with the club.

There are huge questions marks over the futures of both Sanchez and Wenger, for very different reasons.

Chilean star Sanchez has just over 12-months left on his current deal and at the moment talks have failed to lead to a new deal, whilst Wenger’s contract expires at the end of the season.

Arsenal fans are split on Wenger – whether to stick with the man who has be in charge for over 20-years or bring in a new face.

He will soon make a decision on whether to stay and the board are keen for him to stay put and carry on his tenure, so the fact he is now being kicked out, could be the deciding factor.

Wenger admits that staying at Arsenal remains his ‘preference’ although he is yet to make a firm decision.

“My preference has always been the same and will remain the same. I am not looking for jobs in other clubs or other people’s jobs…My preference has always been Arsenal”

“My preference has always been the same and will remain the same,” he told his weekly press conference.

“I am not looking for jobs in other clubs or other people’s jobs. I just focus on me getting to the next level and trying to improve.

“I’ve been here for 20 years and had the opportunity many times to leave.

“My preference has always been Arsenal, but I am objective and lucid enough to make the right decision for myself and the club.”

Change

Wenger’s unwillingness to leave does not go down well with huge sections of the Gunners fan base and TheGamblingTimes.com spoke with Mark King of the Gooner Ramble.

“There is only one reason for Arsene to stay and it has nothing to do with success on the pitch. It would be purely to continue producing financial results for an owner who has bizarrely stated in public, that if you wanted to win trophies, you wouldn’t buy in to a football club. Everyone knows Wenger is finished at the top of the Premier League. So many refuse to speak the words though, out of respect for past glories. Brian Clough anyone?,” King told us.

“I cannot see Alexis hanging around under Wenger and he may not even fancy waiting to see who the next manager might be if Wenger leaves. I’d see him replacing Griezmann at Atletico if they sell the Frenchman to United, City or Chelsea. The fans will be gutted if he leaves as he is one of the only players who looks like he really cares about the results, rather than being content just to be part of the “Big, Happy Arsenal Family” that the squad seems to have turned into the last five seasons. Arsenal is far too comfortable a place to be at present if you’re a player. That’s not enough for warriors like Alexis.”

Our Football Insider Graeme Bailey believes that Wenger could very will stay put – even if he shouldn’t.

“After the hammering at Bayern, the knives were out and certainly you could feel a sense of things changing with the fans, even if a sizeable section already wanted him out,” said Bailey.

“With Sanchez it is tough, he clearly like it under Wenger – I think if Wenger stays, there is a good chance he signs a new deal – no matter what it is going to be a very interesting few months coming at The Emirates.”

Odds-on to stay

We also spoke with Ladbrokes and they believe that both are set to stay with the club.

Sanchez is currently priced at 1/3 to stay with Wenger 10/11 to remain in charge – and you could get that as a 6/4 double.

Ladbrokes News’ Alex Apati said: “Gooners will be breathing a huge sigh of relief thanks to the Sanchez odds but it looks like their banners might fail to force Arsene to call it a day.”

Arsenal latest betting with Ladbrokes
Alexis Sanchez NOT to leave Arsenal this summer – 1/3
Arsene Wenger to be in charge on opening day of 2017-18 campaign – 10/11
Sanchez and Wenger BOTH to be at Arsenal next season – 6/4

Should Wenger stay? Will Wenger stay?…let us know your opinion below