Wenger to stay – reports

ARSENE Wenger has told Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke he will accept the Premier League club’s offer of a new two-year contract, according to reports yesterday.

Wenger met Gunners majority shareholder Kroenke and chief executive Ivan Gazidis late on Monday to discuss his future, before his contract expires next month.

The 67-year-old has been heavily criticised this season, with Arsenal fans calling for his resignation after their team failed to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in 20 years.

Suggestions that Arsenal may insist on hiring a director of football to work with Wenger had sparked claims the Frenchman was considering ending his 21-year reign.

But after leading Arsenal to an impressive 2-1 FA Cup final win over Premiership champions Chelsea, with Kroenke watching from the stands on Saturday, Wenger had hinted he was willing to stay.

And UK newspapers reported Wenger had informed US tycoon Kroenke, who remains a firm supporter, that he wanted to stay in charge of the north London club.

A formal announcement of Wenger’s new contract is expected to come today.

“The club are planning to make an announcement on Wednesday afternoon,” a spokesman said yesterday, after refusing to confirm the newspaper reports of Wenger’s decision. – AFP