MAKE US CHAMPS AGAIN
Wenger warned by Guns
ARSENE WENGER has been ordered to win a major trophy for Arsenal in the next two years.
The Gunners yesterday confirmed that Wenger will remain in charge until the summer of 2019.
The club have not won the Premier League since 2004 and have not had success in Europe during the Frenchman’s 21-year reign.
Even Saturday’s FA Cup victory over Chelsea was brushed aside by majority owner Stan Kroenke, despite it being a record seventh success for the Arsenal boss.
The American (right) has backed Wenger, but insists the lack of top silverware at the club was not good enough.
Kroenke said: “Our ambition is to win the Premier League and other major trophies in Europe.
“It’s what the fans, players, staff, manager and board expect
and we won’t rest until that is achieved.”
Wenger and Arsenal revealed that a major shake-up in players and in the coaching set-up was planned this summer, although the Frenchman appears to have won his battle not to have a director of football forced on him.
Starsport revealed yesterday Wenger himself is set to step into that role when he does finally stand down and looks set to identify Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe as his successor.
Heavy
Wenger and chief executive Ivan Gazidis have conducted a full review of their season, with a host of players set to be sold.
“First of all, we have a very heavy squad at the moment so maybe we might lose some players,” said Wenger. “We want to keep the strength we have and build on that.
“We will work very hard to find the additions of top, top quality. I believe that our squad is very strong and we will only look for top-class people to strengthen our team.” There are doubts over the future of a whole raft of Arsenal players, including Englishmen Jack Wilshere, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Kieran Gibbs and Theo Walcott.
Marseille are keen to land skipper Laurent Koscielny and striker Olivier Giroud.
Big-name stars Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil have yet to sign new deals, with only a year left on their current ones.
Stoke keeper Jack Butland is the keeper Wenger has focused on with David Ospina, who played in the FA Cup Final ahead of Petr Cech, making no secret that he wants be a No.1 elsewhere.
Wenger will certainly begin the new era without Santi Cazorla, who could be out until December because he needs another operation on his Achilles.
He said: “You feel like throwing in the towel but my desire to play football is above everything.”
Lucas Perez, the £17m signing from Deportivo La Coruna, also wants to move after making just two Premier League starts.