Wenger is eager to stay at Arsenal even if he fails to secure a top-four spot for the first time during his 21 years at the club

Arsène Wenger is frustrated by the lack of public support that he has received from Arsenal during his side’s struggles this season.

The club released a statement from chairman Sir Chips Keswick last month acknowledging that they “understood the debate” about Wenger’s future but it stopped short of endorsing the manager of 21 years, insisting only that a decision about a new deal “will be made by us mutually and communicated at the right time in the right way”.

Wenger has told Arsenal that he is ready to sign the new two-year contract that has been on the table for him since last summer, but the club are wary of a backlash from fans and want him to wait until the end of the season.