Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger signs new deal: 'Now let's make history'

 
Optimistic: Arsene Wenger
GETTY
James Olley31 May 2014

Arsene Wenger has targeted making 'history' with Arsenal after signing a new three-year contract which will tie him to the club until 2017.

The 64-year-old had spent more than six months deliberating an extension to his previous deal as he waited to assess how the Gunners finished the campaign and fan reaction to his management.

Their FA Cup victory earlier this month – which ended a nine-year wait for silverware – allied to a 17th consecutive qualification for the Champions League has proved enough to convince Wenger he is the right man to lead the team, thereby extending his tenure into a third decade having joined the club in September 1996.

And Wenger said: “I want to stay and to continue to develop the team and the club. We are entering a very exciting period. We have a strong squad, financial stability and huge support around the world. We are all determined to bring more success to this club.

“The club has always shown faith in me and I'm very grateful for that. We have gone through fantastic periods and also periods where we have had to stick together. Every time when that togetherness was tested I got the right response. I think I have shown some loyalty as well towards this Club and hopefully we can make some more history. I am sure we can.”

There had been some speculation that Wenger could sign a two-year contract but the length agreed is a statement both of Wenger’s belief that Arsenal can now challenge for major honours and the enduring faith of the club’s hierarchy in the Frenchman’s enduring ability.

Arsenal’s majority shareholder, Stan Kroenke, said: “Sustained excellence is the hardest thing to achieve in sport and the fact Arsenal has competed at the top of the game in England and Europe throughout the time Arsene has been manager, is the ultimate testimony to his consistency of performance, talent and ambition.

“We are delighted with the FA Cup success which has added to his already outstanding record. Under his guidance we look forward to adding more trophies in future seasons.”

Among Wenger’s most pressing tasks will be to replace goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski, who moved to Swansea on a free transfer earlier this week, and defender Bacary Sagna, who is now certain to leave the club having rejected the offer of a new contract.

Wenger will be under pressure to spend big money this summer with the club’s cash reserves well in excess of £100m – some estimates put the figure nearer £150m – and Arsenal Supporters’ Trust spokesman Tim Payton said: “At an AST members’ meeting on Wednesday the general response was supportive of Arsene Wenger staying.

“But there was also concern that he needs to now push on and use the Club’s large cash reserves to strengthen what is a talented but thin squad. Attention also has to be given to addressing the flaws that saw the team repeatedly out-thought and outplayed against the top teams, especially away from home.”

The club’s chairman Sir Chips Keswick insists he has no doubt Wenger remains able to attract the world’s best players to Arsenal, especially now they have the financial muscle to do so.

He said: “We are delighted that Arsene has renewed his contract for a further three years. He is a man of principle, who lives and breathes Arsenal.

“He has established Arsenal for its exciting playing style around the world, continues his commitment to young players and has the ability to bring top class players to the club. I have no doubt we have an exciting future ahead of us with him leading the team.”

Create a FREE account to continue reading

eros

Registration is a free and easy way to support our journalism.

Join our community where you can: comment on stories; sign up to newsletters; enter competitions and access content on our app.

Your email address

Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number

You must be at least 18 years old to create an account

* Required fields

Already have an account? SIGN IN

By clicking Create Account you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use , Cookie policy and Privacy policy .

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in