HE’S A REMAINER
Wenger is ready to stay amid fan unrest
YThat was the conclusion drawn by many when the Arsenal boss revealed after this defeat at West Brom that he had made up his mind about his future.
But last night sources claimed Arsenal’s six defeats in nine games had only served to strengthen his resolve to sign a new contract.
Staff at the club’s London Colney training base say that they have noticed a positive change in Wenger’s mood last week, viewed as an indication he has decided to stay. Before signing his previous deal in 2014, staff noticed a similar change in Wenger’s mood.
Days later he began telling staff that he was staying.
Wenger, who retains the support of most players, has agreed a twoyear contract extension, but the Frenchman has not signed the deal. A compromise of a 12-month extension has been explored, but this would be a rolling contract.
Wenger — aware of growing discontent from fans — is still not ruling out leaving when his contract expires this summer. The prospect of Arsenal finishing outside the top four and missing out on FA Cup glory could yet see the manager walk away.
But Wenger said on Saturday that missing out on the Champions League for the first time in 20 years would not form the basis of his decision.
‘No, no, no, no, no, I take a bigger perspective than that,’ Wenger said. ‘It’s not the last result that will decide what I will do. It will not necessarily be linked with the top four because I’ve done that 20 times. It’s more… it’s not that.
‘Of course on the sporting front it would be a blow but financially the Champions League does not have the impact any more that it had five or six years ago because of the influx of the television money. That was for a long time the case but not today.’
The protests against Wenger at The Hawthorns included banners in the Arsenal end demanding his departure and even a plane flying above the stadium carrying the same message.
A second plane was also hired to encourage trust in Wenger, but it all represents an undignified conclusion to the season.
Wenger said: ‘Everybody in life is responsible for his own behaviour. I’m responsible for my own behaviour. I don’t judge other people. I give my best. As long as I am at the club, whether for two more years, 10 more years or four more months, that will not be different. As for all the rest, everybody has to look at themselves.’’
There was even a chorus of, ‘You don’t know what you’re doing,’ from Arsenal fans when a hobbling Alexis Sanchez was substituted. ‘That means that they know,’ Wenger said tersely.
Tony Pulis, the West Brom manager, offered his opinion after shaking hands with Wenger after the full-time. whistle. ‘I’ll be surprised if he goes,’ he said. Asked why, Pulis chuckled: ‘Because he told me!’
When he holds talks with the board over his future, Wenger will be urged to loosen his grip on Arsenal’s footballing operation.
The club’s directors are keen to introduce changes to the club’s structure, as they prepare for life after Wenger. As Sportsmail reported last month, the club hierarchy want to delegate some of Wenger’s responsibilities, which may involve appointing a technical director.
This has become particularly necessary with the club’s chief negotiator, Dick Law, thought to be considering leaving the club within the next 18 months. Additions to Wenger’s backroom staff, which has been criticised for being ‘stale’, may also be discussed. SUPER STAT: Arsenal have lost four out of five Premier League games for the first time in since April 1995 WEST BROM (4-2-3-1): Foster 7; Dawson 8.5, McAuley 7.5, Evans 8, Nyom 7.5; Livermore 7.5, Fletcher 7.5; Chadli 7.5 (Field 90), Brunt 8 (Yacob 72), McClean 7.5; Rondon 6 (Robson-Kanu 54, 6.5). Subs not used: Myhill, Olsson, Wilson, Leko. Booked: McClean. Scorers: Dawson 12, 75, Robson-Kanu 55. ARSENAL (4-2-3-1): Cech 4 (Ospina 38, 4); Bellerin 5, Mustafi 5, Koscielny 5; Monreal 5; Oxlade-Chamberlain 5, Xhaka 5; Walcott 5.5 (Giroud 65, 5), Ramsey 5, Sanchez 6 (Iwobi 78); Welbeck 5. Subs not used: Mertesacker, Gabriel, Coquelin, Elneny. Scorer: Sanchez 15. Man of the match: Craig Dawson Referee: Neil Swarbrick 7.