Well this may come as either a shock or a piece of great new depending on where you stand with the management of Arsene Wenger.
As we all know the Frenchman has just over two years left to run on his existing contract with the club, and it is highly likely that he will honour his current deal before he even thinks about his long-term future.
However, Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood is already looking into the possibility of tying Wenger down to a new long-term contract.
Hill-Wood was quoted in the Daily Mirror last night saying:
‘For him to stay longer than that would be perfect. I can’t think of anybody better to run the team.
‘And he has shown how much rubbish people were talking earlier this season. We had a terrible run of injuries and that obviously had an effect.
‘But a few mindless people were saying that he had to go, that Arsene was past his sell-by date. He has shown that is nonsense.’
He added:
‘He has a young squad, with some excellent young players. He is building a young team with a great future and I am sure he would love to see them develop.
‘I would want him to stay as long as he is happy here. He has been with us 14 years and has done a magnificent job.
‘I want him to stay for the long-term and I see no reason at all why he should want to go.’
Now I personally don’t know what to make of this, and I’m sure many of you will feel the same.
While I think Wenger has done an absolutely fantastic job for the club since his arrival back in 1996, in recent seasons it seems he has lowered his expectations, which have angered and frustrated a number of fans, including myself.
On the flipside, he has balanced the books and we are in a minority of clubs that are actually making a profit and not in major debt. For this I applaud him, and is a reason why I would like to see Wenger continue his reign beyond his existing deal.
However, the Frenchman must answer the fans’ call for silverware. Seven years without any is a severe concern, especially for a club like The Arsenal.
Although this next statement has been said year in, year out, next season IS a crucial one for Wenger, one in which he MUST clinch a trophy.
The fans’ patience is wearing thin and there will be huge pressure on Wenger’s shoulders to deliver the goods next season.
If he continues to do what he does, which is make profits for the money-hungry board and not really focus on capturing any form of silverware, then perhaps, and this may come as a shock, it is time for him to move on.
However, if he stakes a real claim for the trophies next season, preferably the Premier League title, whilst making profits and balancing the books as well, which is possible, then I would love to see him remain for the long-term.
I currently remain on the fence on this one, but would love to know what other Gooners out there think about it.
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next season will be tough for a team that may depend on youths, he must add quality about four players, the likes of harzad, velotegon, poldisk and m’ villa. With these mentioned players arsenal will seriously challenge for the titles, and without this quality additions next season will be a flop again.