Arsene Wenger and the Arsenal board will be asked at Thursday’s annual general meeting to make a final decision on the club’s managerial future well before the end of next season so as to avoid a repeat of this year’s uncertainty.

Wenger did eventually agree a new two-year deal until May 2019 but, for the second contract in succession, final confirmation did not come until the previous season had ended. The 68-year-old has since acknowledged himself that the team were affected amid a collapse in form between January and March that effectively cost the club a place in the Champions League. Arsenal did also rally to win a record-breaking 13th FA Cup – and seventh under Wenger – but shareholders will make it clear that a repeat of this uncertainty should be avoided next season.