Category: Arsène Wenger

By Nick Ames on July 16th, 2017

Alexis Sánchez: I want Champions League football but my future depends on Arsenal

• Forward is entering final year of his contract with no new deal agreed
• Sánchez: ‘I have made my decision, now we wait for a response’

Alexis Sánchez has said he would like to play in the Champions League but accepts his short-term future lies entirely in Arsenal’s hands.

The forward, who is entering the final year of his contract and has been strongly linked with a move away from north London, suggested that he has made his mind up about his preferred next step but is waiting for the club to state its intentions.

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By David Hytner on July 12th, 2017

Arsenal, Alexis Sánchez and the question of who will blink first

The Chilean wants to join Manchester City but Arsenal are not selling to a domestic rival. Can the club really justify missing out on a £50m transfer fee and hold him to his final year?

At the end of last season, Alexis Sánchez was approached by an Arsenal team-mate who wanted to know what was happening with the striker’s new contract. “Are you going to stay with us next season?” he asked. Sánchez barely broke stride and completely blanked him.

The story will doubtless raise a few smiles among journalists, who are well used to getting that sort of treatment from players post-match. But from one team-mate to another?

Alexis Sánchez • Arsenal • Arsène Wenger • Football • Sport • Transfer window

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By Amy Lawrence on June 30th, 2017

Arsenal emotions run high with talk of change not yet matched by actions

Ivan Gazidis tells fans to watch for more recruits behind the scenes but catalyst-for-change concept looks like a thinly disguised version of more of the same

Addressing an audience of around 250 Arsenal supporters Ivan Gazidis said there had barely been a single hour since the end of the season when he was not working on club business. A midsummer’s evening spent at the Royal Oak Suite at the Emirates summed up how the goings-on at a football club never ease off.

There may have been a complimentary pie, drink, glimpse of the FA Cup and bunch of Ray Parlour anecdotes to help the evening flow but it was notable that emotion ran high as Arsenal’s chief executive fielded questions from the floor about the club’s direction and the disconnect with some of the fanbase. “If I felt there was an easy answer I would jump at it,” he said. “There is real regret we haven’t had that togetherness and I would do anything to bring that back.”

Arsenal • Arsène Wenger • Football • Sport • Stan Kroenke

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By Amy Lawrence on June 29th, 2017

Ivan Gazidis calls for a united front from Arsenal supporters next season

• Chief executive offers staunch backing for Kroenke and Wenger
• ‘All our conversations are based around winning the Premier League’

Ivan Gazidis on Thursday evening implored a gathering of Arsenal supporters to unify behind the club for next season. After a period of division that he admitted made him feel “real regret”, the club’s chief executive, speaking at an end of season event at the Emirates, urged the fanbase for a clean slate. “There has been disagreement. There has been a lack of unity and a dissatisfaction. The board knows that. I beg you, please come together and give our manager and this team support. I want the atmosphere to be united and it has been a struggle because we haven’t had that.”

While Gazidis insists work is ongoing to try to improve in a variety of departments, he still found himself having to defend the way the club is run. He reiterated the board view that Arsène Wenger has all the qualities they look for in a manager, then launched a firm defence of the majority owner Stan Kroenke, who at the end of last season dismissed a substantial takeover bid offered by the shareholder Alisher Usmanov.

Arsenal • Arsène Wenger • Football • Sport • Stan Kroenke

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By Arsenal Media on June 06th, 2017

Sead Kolasinac: ‘I followed Arsenal as a boy in the days of Jens Lehmann’ – video

Sead Kolasinac has signed a five-year deal with Arsenal, joining on a free transfer. The Bosnia-Herzegovina international will become an Arsenal player on 1 July when the transfer window opens. His move to the Premier League comes after spending six ye…

Arsenal • Arsène Wenger • Football • Schalke • Sport • Transfer window

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By Guardian Staff on May 31st, 2017

Arsène Wenger says Arsenal ‘can move up to the next level’ – video

Arsène Wenger and Ivan Gazidis discuss the new two-year contract handed to the Arsenal manager. Gazidis claims that there are no better candidates to manage Arsenal than Arsène Wenger, while the Frenchman calls on fans to pull together to support the team.

Arsenal • Arsène Wenger • Football • Sport

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By Guardian Staff on May 31st, 2017

Arsène Wenger says Arsenal ‘can move up to the next level’ – video

Arsenal • Arsène Wenger • Football • Sport

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By Copa90 on May 31st, 2017

Jeremy Corbyn on Wenger, grassroots football and Labour’s Istanbul moment

Copa90 met the Labour leader to discuss Arsène Wenger’s future, Arsenal’s hopes of winning the title and how this election could be reminiscent of 2005

By Copa90 for the Guardian Sport Network

When we read that Jeremy Corbyn had made a commitment to investing in grassroots football, we reached out to his team to see if the Labour leader would like to talk football to Copa90 about sport. He accepted our offer and, on the morning of the FA Cup final, he joined us at Hackney Marshes to chat football, Arsène Wenger and politics.

What brings you to Hackney Marshes?

Arsenal • Arsène Wenger • Football • Jeremy Corbyn • Labour • Politics • Sport • UK news

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By Guardian Staff on May 31st, 2017

Arsène Wenger signs new two-year deal at Arsenal – video

Arsène Wenger has signed a new two-year contract to continue as manager of Arsenal. Wenger, who has led Arsenal for more than 20 years, has been under sharp and sustained criticism for most of this season, as well as in several other recent seasons

Arsenal • Arsène Wenger • Football • Sport

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By Guardian sport on May 31st, 2017

Wenger in: Arsenal manager signs new two-year contract and targets title tilt

• Wenger: ‘I am looking forward with optimism and excitement’
• News ends months of speculation over the Frenchman’s future

Arsenal have ended months of uncertainly by confirming Arsène Wenger has signed a new two-year deal to remain in charge at the Emirates.

The news follows Arsenal’s FA Cup final victory – a 2-1 win over Chelsea – which ended a turbulent season on a high. They missed out on a Champions League place but won nine of their last 10 games of the season after Wenger switched to a back three.

Arsenal • Arsène Wenger • Football • Sport

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By Chas Newkey-Burden on May 31st, 2017

Arsenal fans must consign factions to past after Wenger’s new deal | Chas Newkey-Burden

On balance the manager’s extended stay is welcome but changes will still be required behind the scenes – and in the Emirates Stadium stands

So the banners, the YouTube videos and the fly-over planes have failed. The “Wenger Out” campaign has been ferocious in recent months, even becoming a global meme, but, alas, the manager has agreed a two-year contract extension at Arsenal.

A new deal seemed improbable between February and April when Arsenal were losing against Watford, West Bromwich Albion and Crystal Palace in the league, and enduring two 5-1 humiliations against Bayern Munich. More and more fans began to demand Arsène Wenger’s head, swathes of empty seats became a feature of home matches, and the man himself seemed on the brink of tears in post-match pressers.

Arsenal • Arsène Wenger • Football • Sport

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By David Hytner on May 30th, 2017

Arsène Wenger’s new contract seems unlikely to break the cycle at Arsenal

Optimistic fans may see the FA Cup win as a new dawn but Arsène Wenger needs to mount a title challenge or this season’s issues will quickly return

Picture the scenario. Arsenal are at home to mid-to-low ranking Premier League opposition at the beginning of next season. They concede and, try as they might, they cannot find the equaliser. It is a match that has been played out plenty of times over the second half of Arsène Wenger’s long tenure – the shock Emirates Stadium defeat that is, actually, not that shocking.

Do the fans: a) Take the phlegmatic view that these things can and do happen? Or b) Boo the team off, lose themselves in a pit of existentialist despair and blame Wenger?

Arsenal • Arsène Wenger • Football • Sport

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By David Hytner on May 30th, 2017

Arsène Wenger agrees two-year contract to continue Arsenal stay

• Club will confirm manager’s new deal on Wednesday
• Stan Kroenke stands by Wenger after strong end to season

Arsène Wenger has agreed a new two‑year contract at Arsenal, bringing months of uncertainly to an end that even he admitted was damaging to the club over this past season. There will be an announcement on Wednesday to confirm the news.

The manager, who has been in situ since the early weeks of the 1996-97 season, met the club’s directors on Tuesday, having demanded that they back him after Arsenal’s FA Cup final victory against Chelsea on Saturday and strong finish to the campaign.

Arsenal • Arsène Wenger • Football • Sport

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By Marcus Christenson on May 29th, 2017

Decision day looms for Arsène Wenger and Arsenal as board prepares to meet

• Announcement on manager’s future is expected later in week
• Meeting comes after Wenger delivered FA Cup victory over Chelsea

The Arsenal board will meet on Tuesday to discuss Arsène Wenger’s future. The Frenchman will be present, as he always is, as will the majority shareholder, Stan Kroenke, his son Josh, the chairman, Sir Chips Keswick, the chief executive, Ivan Gazidis, the directors Ken Friar and Lord Harris of Peckham and the club secretary, David Miles. An announcement is expected on Wednesday or Thursday.

Arsenal • Arsène Wenger • Football • Sport

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By Donald McRae on May 29th, 2017

Tony Adams: ‘Arsène Wenger has total dominance. The board do nothing’

The former England captain discusses his new book reflecting on 20 years sober and how his ‘texting love’ with Arsène Wenger has stopped since his recent criticism of the Frenchman who he doesn’t think can ‘let go’ of Arsenal

“I was married to the club for 23 years so Arsenal are like an ex-wife,” Tony Adams says with a rueful grin as we reach the end of a tumultuous season for him and his beloved Gunners. “Just because she doesn’t want you back, there’s no reason why you don’t still love that woman, that club. I’m 50 – so almost half my life was at Arsenal. I’ve got a bloody statue outside [the Emirates Stadium]. What have they done to me?”

On a beautiful morning in London, in a moment which shows his tangled feelings for Arsenal amid renewed tension between him and Arsène Wenger, Adams laughs. It’s the sound of pride smudged with hurt. As their inspirational captain, Adams led Arsenal to 10 trophies, including four league titles, in three different decades, after joining the club as a schoolboy and playing the last of his 669 games in May 2002. Adams lifted the FA Cup for Arsenal that month and, 15 years on, he shares the elation of another thrilling victory.

Arsenal • Arsène Wenger • Football • Sport

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By David Hytner on May 29th, 2017

Arsène Wenger smiles better as he shakes off Arsenal hurt and suffering | David Hytner

FA Cup-winning manager says: ‘One thing you cannot question is my commitment … I have desire, I love my job, I love to win, I love to build’

More than anything, Arsène Wenger looked happy. For months, the Arsenal manager has furrowed his brow and tensed his body as the blows have rained down on him. He has sensed conspiracy at every turn; a trap in every question. There have been enemies everywhere, including within club ranks. It has been draining.

At Wembley on Saturday, the worry lines could finally soften and the enduring image of Arsenal’s FA Cup final victory over Chelsea was that of Wenger’s smile. Even those who have hounded and denounced him might have felt its warmth.

Arsenal • Arsène Wenger • FA Cup • Football • Sport

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By David Hytner on May 28th, 2017

Arsène Wenger says Arsenal FA Cup win should answer questions over future

• Board meeting will decide manager’s future after almost 21 years at club
• ‘Best presentation I could make is for board to watch Cup final again’

Arsène Wenger will tell Arsenal’s directors to watch a recording of Saturday’s FA Cup final victory over Chelsea if they have any doubt about his suitability to stay on as the club’s manager.

The saga of Wenger’s future will finally be resolved this week, with an announcement set for Wednesday – the day after a meeting of the full board, which Wenger himself will attend as usual. Wenger has made it clear he thinks he ought to be allowed to continue into what would be his 22nd season at the club while he says he knows “what I would like to happen”.

Arsenal • Arsène Wenger • Chelsea • FA Cup • Football • Sport

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By Michael Cox on May 28th, 2017

Arsène Wenger got strategy spot on from back to front in Arsenal win | Michael Cox

Manager deserves praise for switch in strategy which won the FA Cup final as he outfoxed Antonio Conte’s efforts to reshape his lineup

Regardless of the result, this felt like a fitting end to the campaign – a match between two sides lining up with a three-man defence. It had, of course, been a 3-0 defeat at the Emirates in September which encouraged Antonio Conte to switch to his 3-4-3 system, and then Chelsea’s astonishing run of form seemingly encouraged Arsène Wenger to follow suit.

For all the pre-match speculation about Arsenal’s defensive problems and the controversial decision to play David Ospina rather than Petr Cech, Wenger’s key decision here was up front. For the 4-0 FA Cup final victory over Aston Villa two years ago, Wenger elected for the speed of Theo Walcott and omitted Olivier Giroud, and the extra pace forced Aston Villa’s defence to play deeper, creating space between the lines when their midfield tried to press, allowing Alexis Sánchez and Mesut Özil to run riot. Here, an almost identical thing happened – albeit with Danny Welbeck, rather than Walcott.

Antonio Conte • Arsenal • Arsène Wenger • Chelsea • FA Cup • Football • Football tactics • Sport

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By Barney Ronay at Wembley on May 28th, 2017

Arsène Wenger and Arsenal have answers but questions remain | Barney Ronay

Uncertainty over the future of Arsène Wenger persists but Arsenal put those troubles behind them as they beat Chelsea 2-1 in the FA Cup final

At the final whistle on a hot, fun, slightly wild afternoon at Wembley, Arsène Wenger crouched on the touchline and roared, not quite with abandon, but with a genuine sense of release, and even of anger. Cuffs still crisply buttoned, wasp-waisted in black slacks, Wenger eventually sank into a familiar double fist-pump, knees bent, like a man at a wedding performing a slow, heartfelt air-maracas solo.

Twenty minutes later he was there again climbing the Wembley steps with his players to face the royal party and the coyly gleaming trophy. Arsenal’s 2-1 defeat of Chelsea means Wenger now has seven FA Cup winners’ medals, more than any other manager, and as many as Chelsea and Liverpool in their entire respective histories. His first Cup as a coach was the Coupe De France 27 years ago. For all the vicissitudes of the job, the draining obsession, it seems pretty clear the sweetness is still there to be sucked from moments like these.

Arsenal • Arsène Wenger • Chelsea • FA Cup • Football • Sport

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By Guardian Staff on May 27th, 2017

Arsène Wenger remains coy over future after FA Cup win – video

Arsène Wenger, straight after leading Arsenal to a club record 13th win, as well as breaking the record for most FA Cup wins as a manager with his seventh, kept his cards close to his chest as he was questioned over his future. Wenger maintained that the only ones who will decide his future are the Arsenal board and himself

Arsenal • Arsène Wenger • FA Cup • Football • Sport

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