Peter Wilson
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ARSENAL manager Arsène Wenger last night said he would be staying at the Emirates stadium for another season at least. But the Frenchman refused to confirm that his two most important players, Thierry Henry and Cesc Fabregas, would be there with him.
Wenger, who has one year left on his Arsenal contract, has been coveted by some of Europe’s top names, particularly Barcelona and Real Madrid, but he has always said that he would honour his contract at the club where he has spent the past 11 years, winning three Premierships and four FA Cups.
“I have a contract for one more year here and I will complete that contract,” he said. More worrying for Arsenal supporters was his next remark: “Next summer I will sit down with the board and see.”
Arsenal, who have been in turmoil since vice-chairman David Dein was kicked off the board in April, will hope that Wenger’s pledge will stabilise the club, whose fortunes have dipped since their Champions League final defeat against Barcelona just over a year ago.
Although Wenger will stay, the future of Henry, Arsenal’s captain, remains a big doubt. Barcelona, Real Madrid and AC Milan are at the top of the list of big clubs monitoring the situation with the Gunners’ record goalscorer, who signed a new four-year contract only last year.
A bid of £20m-plus for Henry might be too tempting for Arsenal, who have debts of £262m after moving to the new stadium.
A move by the Spanish clubs is expected when their season ends next weekend. Spanish international Fabregas said recently that he would probably leave the club if Wenger went, but last night’s statement from the Arsenal manager almost confirms Fabregas’s presence at the Emirates next season.
While Wenger’s only signing so far has been Polish keeper Lukasz Fabianski, Sir Alex Ferguson continues to leap ahead of his rivals in the transfer market. It was reported last night that the Manchester United manager was close to taking West Ham’s Argentine forward Carlos Tevez on a season’s loan.
The Old Trafford club have already bought midfielder Owen Hargreaves, forward Nani and winger Anderson for transfer fees that could rise to £50m.
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Arsenal belongs to fans worldwide, not England, because we buy Arsenal's expensive jerseys and other merchandise. I'd like to see Arsenal spend more money on players. I am indifferent between English or non-English players, as long as the price is right!
The problem seems to be with the board, which is too stingy with purse strings. I challenge the stingy board of directors, like Peter Hill-Wood to get off their fat asses and either inject more funds into the club or sell their stake to someone who can run the club more efficiently!
Jeffrey Ong, Singapore, Singapore
Wenger put Arsenal back on the football map. Arsenal's best players are loyal to the "Boss." So, paraphrasing "one plus one equals two,"- Arsenal must keep Wenger and Cesc and Thierry will stay.
No rocket science here.
Gary Van Gelder, HOUSTON, Texas, USA
i believe arsene wants to be part of the gunners and finish the business but it seems the problem is with the board.question is when david dein left,what advice did he give arsene and his players?coz his advice depends a lot on wengers decisions
henry opati lubanga, Nairobi, kenya
Hey ! Jack what's a couch? Despite Mr Wengers undoubted talent it all appears to be "going pear "at the Emirates. Never mind Arsene you are welcome to come to Manchester and work under the "wizard" as youth development "couch" perhaps?
steve berry, Manchester, Lancs
If wenger wants to go, let him go. Before that, he have fulfil some obligations to the english football. He has to rebuild a team with atleast half of English players before he go. When he jonied Aresenal, he had almost full english squad and he used them to win his first league title. Slowly he removed one by one with low cost players from different countries and now managing a team without a single english player in first team. He answered those who questioned on this regared that his Club Arsenal is keeping all English Values and that is important than keeping english players. What is his answer now for the same question, when Arsenal is going for US money and his own foreign legion is quarreling against the club. He and his English valued club has the responsibility to find good english talent and nurture them for a better English team. He just can't run away from such responsibility.
ForEnglishArsenal, London, England
well i think arsenal shouldn't really have anycomplaints with arsene wenger as boss.11 years ago arsenal were probably one of the most boring teams to watch play.with wenger the club managed to exceed in every way to the style of football they played.an extra plus has to be the work that has been done with the arsenal youth academy.i really do hope that arsenal manage to keep wenger for the years to come.the club is in debt and the club needs wenger's guidance on the pitch.arsenal will once again climb the table in a few years.there is depth and many young players arising.maybe as MICHEAL PRESTON says,the board are not fit for this club...too many mistakes have been made
Panos S., athens, greece
I think it was awfully unwise of the Arsenal board to let go of David Dein. That reveals a deplorable lack of insight into the club's strenghts and weaknesses and is a furhter piece of evidence of self-sufficiency that rarely brings anyone anywhere - except down in this world.
Bo Hilsted, Humlebaek, Denmark
Perhaps Wenger is trying to light a fire under his troops, as well as his board: the players need to up their game next season, as comments that "they are a promising young team" will not cut it anymore: and the board better wake up and start investing in another 1-2 world class players that can put the squad over the top, or the entire situation will fall apart. They are not investing enough, and the Dien faction is trying to get the resources to keep up with the other top teams.
Success next season is absolutely essential, or the Arsenal will look unrecognizable come the 08-09 season.
Rob, NY, NY, USA
I hope the Arsenal Directors are happy with the situation they have created. If they didn't anticipate the potential loss of their manager and their key players, then they are not fit to be directors, for it was obvious to everyone else. If they did, but considered that their own interests outweighed the problem, then they are also not fit to be directors. David Dein did more for Arsenal than all the rest of the Board together, and - if he does not return in some form or other - Arsenal will sink back into the mediocrity from which the Dein/Wenger regime rescued them.
Michael Preston, Orangeburg, New York
i support Wenger stay at the Emirates stadium for another season .i think he made a great achievement to the Arsenal club.he is a good couch.
Jack xiong, yichun, china
Wenger always gives the same set answer when asked about contracts. He never makes a big fuss about renewals and also never goes back on his word.. However, he's unlikely to walk away from Arsenal when he's spent years grooming young stars who are about to blssom.
Mark, Newcastle, England,