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Arsenal will step up their attempts to get Arsene Wenger to sign a new three-year contract after their progression in the Champions League.

Negotiations have been going on since the summer and Mirror Sport revealed in October that a £24million offer is on the table.

But the Gunners' boss insisted he wanted to delay signing until after they had reached the Champions League's last 16.

Wenger, 64, has made it plain that he only wants to stay if he feels he can keep the fans happy with a new era of success, and he sees European football as being central to his vision.

The Arsenal hierarchy, led by majority shareholder Stan Kroenke, want the Frenchman to stay and are confident he will sign in the next few weeks.

Wenger, now the longest-serving manager in the Premier League following Alex Ferguson's retirement, has enjoyed a terrific start to the season, going five points clear at the top.

And even though Arsenal face a hugely difficult tie, they are in the knock-out stages of the Champions League once again.

They are also set to make more signings after landing German star Mesut Ozil from Real Madrid for a club-record $42million in the summer.

Meanwhile, the Gunners are boosted by the return of Bacary Sagna for the weekend's massive trip to title rivals Manchester City after missing the last three games with a hamstring injury.