Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has reportedly agreed terms over a fresh one-year contract at the Emirates. The Frenchman has received strong criticism from a section of the Gunners’ faithful following a wretched run which has seen them lose four of their last five league outings.
According to The Express, the 67-year-old is set to face the wrath of loyal supporters after having compromised to stay on beyond the current campaign.
The Gunners’ hierarchy had initially placed a two-year contract offer on the table, but it now appears that Wenger has settled on a reduced one-year deal despite calls for him to quit the club in the summer.
Juventus’ Max Allegri had been tipped to takeover the reigns from Wenger at the expire of his contract this summer, but it seems that the board will stick with their long-standing manager for at least one more year.
The Gunners faced a 10-2 aggregate hammering at the hands of Bayern Munich in the Champions League this year, but even this, has not changed owner Stan Kroenke’s thoughts over Wenger’s 21-year reign.
Following the surprise 3-1 defeat to West Bromwich Albion, Wenger confirmed that he would finalize his future ‘very soon’, and this has in hand come with his desire to extend his deal by an additional year.
“I know what I will do so you will know very soon,” he was quoted as saying on The Express. “Today I do not worry about that. I watch the game, I do not watch the stands.”
The Gunners face Manchester City in the Premier League after the international break, and there is likely to be further protests from the fans amid his decision to have agreed on yet another contract.
For the first time under the Wenger era, Arsenal could find themselves outside the top-four with Liverpool occupying the final Champions League place with a five-point advantage.
