Arsene Wenger to sign new TWO YEAR contract to stay at Arsenal – reports

1 Is Arsene Wenger set for another TWO YEARS at Arsenal?

Arsene Wenger is set to stay at Arsenal for another TWO seasons, according to reports.

The under-fire Frenchman seemed closer to an exit than ever following the Gunners’ calamitous 3-1 defeat to West Brom on Saturday, which left the club six points adrift of the top four.

Wenger is out of contract at the end of the current season and revealed following the loss he had made up his mind regarding his future and that an announcement would be made “very soon”.

Many have expected that decision to be Wenger finally bringing his 21-year reign to an end, while many fans have hoped for a change of leadership.

But it now seems he is set to continue his tenure at the Emirates Stadium, with Wenger reported to be ready to sign a new TWO-YEAR deal with the Gunners.

Meanwhile, it is also understood that Arsenal have NOT made an official approach to Borussia Dortmund coach Thomas Tuchel.

German newspaper Bild had claimed this weekend the north London club had been in contact over bringing the 43-year-old German in as Wenger’s replacement, but it appears Arsenal are resolved to stand by Wenger.

The issue is likely to split the opinion of supporters, with some sections of the fanbase calling Wenger to end his 21-year stay at the end of the campaign following a 3-1 loss at West Brom.

Anti-Wenger fans flew a plane over The Hawthorns trailing a banner saying: ”No contract Wenger out” although another later proclaimed “In Arsene We Trust #RESPECTAW”

A 10-2 aggregate defeat against Bayern Munich in the Champions League badly damaged Wenger’s standing while the setback on Saturday – their fourth loss in five top-flight matches – leaves them sixth in the table.

Sitting six points adrift of fourth-placed Liverpool – albeit with two matches in hand – a 20th successive season of Champions League football in 2017-18 hangs in the balance.

But Wenger said after defeat to the Baggies that he does not think qualifying for Europe’s elite club competition is the be-all and end-all for the club.

”My decision will not necessarily be linked with that because I’ve done the top four 20 times. It’s more, it’s not that,” said the Arsenal boss.

”I take a bigger perspective than that. It’s not the last result that will decide what I will do.

”It’s not [the end of the world], not any more. That was for a long time the case, but not today. Financially, I mean.

”Of course, on the sporting front it would be a blow, but financially the Champions League does not have the impact any more that it had five or six years ago because of the influx of the television money (to the Premier League).”

Asked whether some supporters’ actions in urging him to quit were disrespectful towards a manager who has brought nine major trophies to the club, including three Premier League titles, Wenger said: ”I don’t know.

“I don’t want to judge. I’m judged enough and I’m not a judge so I can’t answer.

”Everybody in life is responsible for his own behaviour. I’m responsible for my own behaviour. I don’t judge other people.

”I give my best. As long as I am at the club, whether that is for two more years, ten more years or four more months, that will not be different. As for all the rest, everybody has to look at themselves.”