Arsène Wenger is in conflict with his own board about plans to take the club on a pre-season tour of the United States. Arsenal have traditionally been England's only Champions League club not to fly across continents in a money- and profile-raising exercise before the Premier League season's kick-off, but all that is set to change.

The biggest single shareholder, Stan Kroenke, is exerting the kind of influence over the club that suggests his full ownership will only be a matter of time, and the American wants Arsenal stateside next summer.

Wenger is furious at being challenged over what he considers his sole domain: team affairs. After the Emirates Cup at their own stadium he would like to take his team to Austria, where they have traditionally prepared in pre-season.

The fact that 2010 is a World Cup year is at the forefront of Wenger's mind and he feels that a jet-lag inducing trip would set his team back for the 2010-11 season. He will be particularly opposed if Arsenal do not finish this Premier League season in the top two and have to qualify for the Champions League.

When asked at October's annual meeting, attended by Kroenke, whether he would be willing to take the club to the US, Wenger's response was clear: "No – it doesn't prepare the players properly, it's not possible to take players who are just back from World Cups or European Championships, and the Champions League qualifiers might be vital to the season."

Arsenal say no plans have been finalised yet on an overseas tour.