BOSS MUST WIN OVER SUPPORTERS

ARSENE WENGER has always been resistant to change during his 21-year reign as Arsenal manager. But he must prove that he can reinvent himself during the next two years as he oversees evolution rather than revolution at the Emirates. That was the overriding resolution from yesterday’s board meeting as his new £8million-a-year contract was rubber stamped, with the official announcement to follow today. Wenger is under no illusion that he must show he can change, win back the fans and use the next two years to get Arsenal back on track. There have been positive signs in recent weeks, as he switched to a back-three formation after 20 years of using a four-man defence. That showed a willingness to change on the pitch – and a lot more decisions like that are expected to follow. Whether the fans will buy into it remains to be seen. Some will take a lot of convincing that this is not just more of the same. There will have to be tangible signs of progress, with new signings and major improvements on and off the pitch. Wenger has been willing to compromise on appointments at the club, a new role will be created to help the Arsenal manager delegate better – which has always been a problem for him. He likes to micro-manage, having a say in everything from the catering to club suit carnations. But the new role will be more football operations officer – looking after contract negotiations, travel plans and pooling together medical records – rather than a director of football. There will be a shake-up of Wenger’s backroom staff, the announcement delayed for 24 hours while final plans are put in place and people are told. They may look at position of goalkeeping coach, as long-serving Gerry Peyton struggles with his hips, while there has been talk of changing the fitness coaches and overhauling the scouting and recruitment system. Player contracts, the summer spending budget and commercial deals were discussed, and it felt like business as usual within the wooden panelled boardroom. But Wenger knows that he is under pressure to change, show that he can break old habits and make Arsenal competitive again. The decision to give him a new contract was not based on winning the FA Cup. Far from it. The club has never lost faith in Wenger but this has been the most turbulent season of his reign, with serious questions raised about his future. Thick-skinned majority shareholder Stan Kroenke (inset, top) remains resolutely behind Wenger, despite the chants and abuse. Most other managers would not be such a glutton for punishment. But Wenger was determined to ride it out, show that he could turn the season around. Winning the FA Cup in such style at Wembley only increased his momentum and strengthened his argument. There have certainly been tensions this season, chief executive Ivan Gazidis (inset, bottom) saying the disappointing fifth-placed finish in the Premier League must be a catalyst for change. Even “old school” board members, so supportive in the past, have had their patience tested with fans in meltdown, protests and the rants on Arsenal Fan TV becoming a global phenomenon. Wenger was annoyed by a lack of support, he felt isolated and alone. But the Frenchman was determined not to go out on a low. Clearly the temptation to go out on the high of winning a record seventh FA Cup did not appeal either. As one well-placed source at the club said yesterday: “He is always still looking for an even bigger high.” Wenger simply could not walk away. He still believes in himself, in his players – and he reckons he can rebuild the team so they are strong enough to win the Premier League. The caveat which went with the new contract is to make the Gunners genuine title challengers once more. That is the task facing Wenger. They finished 18 points behind champions Chelsea this season, they were second and 10 points behind Leicester last year. But they were never really in the race beyond February. That is what is expected of Wenger this time. To reinvent himself, reinvigorate the club and make the team real contenders again. If he can do that, then do not think this will necessarily be his last contract. In fact, if Wenger can make Arsenal successful again then he could go on into his 70s. After being written off this season, don’t bet against it.