Arsenal will today end months of speculation, as they are set to announce that Arsene Wenger is to remain as manager for another two years. The contract will extend his career to twenty three years with the club, but the news, which is said to be released this afternoon, is sure be met with a mixture of reactions from ‘Gunners’ fans.
The ‘Wenger Out’ campaign increased with support this season, as the manager’s possible departure was the talk of the town ever since December. The Emirates became all too familiar with a noticeably awful environment as ‘Wenger Out’ signs grew in numbers as results suffered. Not the reception you’d want when debating your future with the club.
Next season will be Arsenal’s first season excluded from the Champions League under Wenger’s watch, after they finished fifth in the Premier League. These next two years may be Wenger’s most challenge to date; he’s failed to qualify for the Champions League, failed to keep key players with the rumours of Sanchez & Özil leaving the club and he’s failing to attract big names to south London side.
However, this season hasn’t been all doom and gloom. Wenger’s side beat this year’s Premier League champions 2-1 to claim the FA Cup title. Some pundits and fans agreed that this is the high in which the Frenchman could happily leave the club on, but today’s news will confirm he is determined to stay and turn his club back into title contenders. He’s got a long way to go to replicate that unbeaten run of 2003/04 season, but at least we get to see that sleeping bag of a winter coat for another two years.
