Arsene Wenger: Contracted to Arsenal until 2017

Arsene Wenger believes his role in ensuring Arsenal remained competitive during their barren years has been the most important achievement of his reign.

Wenger’s side ended their nine-year trophy drought when they beat Hull City to win the FA Cup in May.

The Frenchman had delivered three Premier League titles since taking the reins in 1996 but Arsenal’s move to Emirates Stadium left them unable to compete financially with other title rivals for almost a decade.

However, Wenger still managed to guide Arsenal to top-four finishes in every season and finally ended his trophy jinx with a 3-2 win over Hull.

Personally, I think it was the most sensitive and important period of my career here - it was exciting to keep the club at the level with less resources. Arsene Wenger

"I accepted the challenge when I signed my contract knowing what would happen," he said.

"Personally, I think it was the most sensitive and important period of my career here - it was exciting to keep the club at the level with less resources.

"Did we do well or not? The only thing I can say is that we were consistent at that level but maybe we lacked some quality to really win it.

"The only thing I can assure you is that I gave absolutely everything to do as well as I could. Is it enough? You'll never know. Could someone have done better? You never know."

With the FA Cup success behind him, Wenger penned another contract extension at the club, with the new three-year deal taking him until 2017.

Motivation

Negotiations over the deal were lengthy and, although Wenger is adamant he always wanted to sign, he would not be drawn on whether victory in the cup final played a part in his decision.

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"I don't want to answer that question," he replied when asked if there would have been doubt over his future without the trophy win.

"Was it always going to happen? Certainly. I always said the same thing, I want to think that I have done well for the club. My motivation was never at stake, I always wanted to stay.

"But as well I wanted to feel that I had done a good job. The fact that we could not win was going on my mind and it was important for me to feel like I was doing a decent job.

"I never look behind me at what is done. I look in front of me. I'm always turned forward. We have won the cup but we want to win more and we want to come back and fight for more, what is done is done."