Wenger extends Arsenal stay

Frenchman will see tenure reach whopping 23 years if he sees out new contract

LONDON: Arsene Wenger has told Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke he will accept the Premier League club's offer of a new two-year contract, according to reports on Tuesday.

Wenger met Gunners majority shareholder Kroenke and chief executive Ivan Gazidis on Monday to discuss his future before his contract expires next month.

The 67-year-old has been heavily criticised this season, with Arsenal fans calling for his resignation after their team failed to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in 20 years.

Suggestions that Arsenal may insist on hiring a director of football to work with Wenger had sparked claims the Frenchman was considering ending his 21-year reign.

But after leading Arsenal to an impressive 2-1 FA Cup final victory over Premier League champions Chelsea with Kroenke watching from the stands on Saturday, Wenger had hinted he was willing to stay.

And the Daily Mail and Daily Mirror reported Wenger has informed American tycoon Kroenke, who remains a firm supporter of his manager, that he wants to remain in charge of the North London club.

Gazidis would still like to bring in a sporting director to coordinate issues ranging from scouting and medicine to youth development and analytics.

But Wenger has been told he will retain control of the key areas of team selection and transfers.

With his reign set to reach 23 years if he sees out the new deal, Wenger has a chance to salvage what was in danger of becoming a tarnished reputation.

First on his to-do list will be making improved contract offers to Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil.

The unsettled Arsenal stars are holding out for weekly wages of around £300,000 per week with their present deals due to expire at the end of next season.

With no Champions League football to offer to potential new recruits, Wenger still faces a tough task to win the Premier League for the first time since 2004.