Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has revealed that reports on Friday claiming that he has been offered a new two-year deal are false.
The Times reported that the Frenchman was set to be offered the new contract by Stan Kroenke, with pressure being put on him to decide by October to give the Arsenal hierarchy a chance to identify a replacement next summer if he moves on.
However, it doesn’t appear as though Wenger will be signing a new deal any time soon, as he revealed that there simply isn’t even a contract on the table.
“That’s completely wrong, and I don’t know where this information comes from,” he said at his press conference on Friday, as noted by Sky Sports.
“You can treat that as just an invention – one more. It’s absolutely false, and I would like the press to check before they give this information out. They could have checked with myself or the club and we would have denied it.
“I’ve extended my contract [in the past] at a period when it was vital for the club. I will see where I stand and the club stands at the end of my contract.”
Wenger has come under increased scrutiny this season as the Gunners have failed in their bid to land silverware which has raised further questions about the 66-year-old’s ability to lead them towards a successful future.
Many have argued that this season was the perfect opportunity for Arsenal to strike in the Premier League considering the struggles of their rivals, but it was Leicester City who deservedly claimed the crown after emerging as the most consistent side in the campaign.
With on-going protests from sections of supporters, Wenger will be under pressure to act this summer and ensure that Arsenal are genuine contenders on all fronts next season.
If they start well and end with trophies, then perhaps a new deal would be welcomed by some of his detractors. If he was to fail again, then it is more than possible that time will be called on his tenure at the club.
Based on the reaction to the initial report from some Arsenal fans, it is clear that they don’t wish to see the Frenchman handed a new deal:
A new contract for Wenger would tell you all you need to know about the power struggle at Arsenal.
An impotent CEO. Bad news for AFC.
— Le Grove (@LeGrove) May 12, 2016
@MickTheGooner if wenger loves @arsenal like he claims he’ll walk away…he knows he’ll never win us the league, he knows.
— gunner 24/04 (@kelslim2020) May 13, 2016
If the club are not going to listen to fans and mug us off by offering #wenger a new deal then I’m done with #Arsenal
— lukas (@steciccone) May 13, 2016
Several papers claiming Wenger will be offered a contract extension. Absolutely disgusting. #Arsenal #WengerOut
— Andrew Lee (@AndrewLee104) May 13, 2016