The former Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein has said that Arsène Wenger is still the best man to lead the club, despite six seasons without a trophy at the Emirates Stadium.

Dein has remained in close contact with Wenger since leaving Arsenal, after the pair spent 11 years working together. Wenger's last trophy was the 2005 FA Cup.

"Arsène Wenger will admit he has had the most difficult couple of years of his career, for two reasons," Dein told Radio 5 Live. "One is the fact the game is getting more competitive, we have seen more money coming in so the competition out there is more intense. Secondly, he has had to contend with the fact he hasn't achieved what he would have hoped to achieve, albeit he has done remarkably well in the quality and style of play."

Dein said that Wenger still had the hunger to succeed at Arsenal: "Arsène is very focused and very determined. I see him regularly, I see a man who still has as much fire in the belly today as when he started. He wants to win. I believe in his ability and I know for a fact he is trying very hard to improve the squad this year and I hope he does it.

"People have got to remember what he has achieved. It is easy in life to get rid of people. Then what? How do you follow Arsène Wenger? That is going to be the trick for the board and it is not going to be an easy exercise."