Wenger stays, but Ozil?
Wenger is poised to stay amid fan unrest
ARSENE WENGER wants to remain at Arsenal — but fresh concerns over Mesut Ozil’s commitment are emerging. The Arsenal boss is intent on staying for a 22nd season despite a miserable campaign. Reports of an approach for Borussia Dortmund’s Thomas Tuchel emerged in Germany last night, but Wenger, 67, has agreed a two-year extension and is expected to sign it. However, Ozil’s future looks more uncertain after a mystery hamstring injury ruled him out of the 3-1 defeat at West Brom. Ozil did not complete training on Friday, but the extent of the injury is unclear. He received treatment over the weekend and is expected to join up with Germany for Wednesday’s friendly against England.
YOU would have thought Arsenal’s slump to sixth spot in the Premier League table would have led to Arsene Wenger contemplating his exit from the club.
That was the conclusion drawn by many when the Arsenal boss revealed after this defeat at West Bromwich 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 they 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. Days later he began telling staff that he was staying.
Wenger, who retains the support of most players, has agreed a two- year 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 the FA Cup could yet see the manager walk away. And reports emerged in Germany last night of an approach for Borussia Dortmund manager Thomas Tuchel, whose side are third in the Bundesliga table.
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.
‘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 years ago, because of the influx of television money.’
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 hired to encourage trust in Wenger, but it all represents an undignified end 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 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.