New deal so close

FROM BACK PAGE minutes of football after 20 years in charge.

Chelsea are heavy favourites to lift the Cup, with Arsenal – who missed out on the Champions League – hit by injury.

But there is still a view that Wenger has been remarkably loyal and consistent and the club hierarchy believe that with changes, Arsenal can challenge again.

A new post will oversee contracts, logistics and pool medical information to support Wenger, but it is very unlikely to be a high-profile appointment and would not be a director of football.

There could also be some changes to coaching staff, even though Wenger is fiercely protective of his assistants.

But there appears to have been a compromise and a push for a deal on the table since October to finally be signed.