​Arsene Wenger is expected to sign a new two-year contract at Arsenal in the coming days, regardless of the result of Saturday afternoon's FA Cup final.





The ​Mirror report that the deal could be announced as early as next week, in a move set to spark widespread protests across the club's fanbase - with a particularly vocal minority campaigning throughout the season for the Frenchman to leave.

From earlier - Wenger drops a bombshell by dropping Cech for Cup final #afc #cfc https://t.co/Lbnwwoh8iQ — Matt Law (@Matt_Law_DT) May 26, 2017

The Gunners failed to qualify for the Champions League this season for the first time in the best part of two decades, leaving Wenger facing an uphill struggle to bring top class players in over the summer and to keep hold of his own stars.





A board meeting held in the aftermath of the cup final will see the board discuss Wenger's future and likely rubber-stamp the decision to extend his contract - with a single game, however important, unlikely to override what some in the club see as 20 years of evidence that the Frenchman is cut out for the top level of management.

Behind-the-scenes changes are expected though, as the club prepare for a day when Wenger will not be at the helm of the club. One notable appointment is likely to be a figure to oversee some contract and logistical dealings - all of which Wenger currently deals with himself - as they look to ease the transition between Wenger being integral to every part of the club's operation and a day when he isn't present at all.





The Gunners go into Saturday's final as underdogs after a fifth place finish in the league and a fresh injury crisis depriving them of at least two key defenders.

For more from Chris when he's not writing on 90min, follow him on Twitter at @ThatChris1209

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