London, April 11 (Inditop) Arsenal are set to extend the contract of manager Ars�ne Wenger to ensure that key players stay at the football club.
Wenger has a little more than two years remaining on his existing deal but will negotiate for his extension only in the final 12 months of his contract. However, the club no longer wants to wait until the last minute to discover his intentions.
The move to encourage Wenger, 59, to commit earlier than usual is also an acknowledgement of the fact that he is the club’s best hope of keeping their crop of talented young players at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal are not worried that Wenger will break his present contract as he has always insisted that he will see it out, and they regard him as a man of his word.
But given the uncertainty surrounding the ownership of the club, they are keen to promote greater long-term planning in the dugout, English media reported.
With a potential takeover battle between Alisher Usmanov, the Russian-based billionaire, and Stan Kroenke, the American, bubbling away in the background, the board is keen to secure the future of its greatest asset.
With no trophies having been won since 2005 – when they captured the FA Cup for the fourth time in his 13-year reign, to go with three Premier League titles – Wenger has come under pressure this season, with his side being repeatedly booed and some fans even calling for him to be sacked.
But the board is reluctant even to consider a future without a man who has delivered sustained success on a limited budget.
Wenger’s most recent contract was a three-year extension signed in September 2007 and since then he has been reluctant to discuss his future beyond that contract.
His position at Arsenal has always been based on the strength of his relationship with key individuals such as David Dein, the former vice-chairman, and his firm belief in the history and tradition of the club.
rounak