Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke fully supportive of Arsene Wenger ahead of club …
Contrary to popular perception, he has regularly visited the Emirates since
becoming majority owner last April and has attended every monthly board
meeting. He has also watched several matches this season, including the win
against Chelsea and the defeat by Liverpool.
The consistent message on Wenger from Kroenke and the rest of the board is
that his position is not contingent on finishing in the top four. Wenger,
though, acknowledged that it would be a “disaster” for the club to lose
their Champions League status and has said that he would only consider his
position if he personally felt that he had underachieved.
Arsenal are well aware that Wenger would be a leading candidate to manage
Real Madrid should Jose Mourinho leave this summer. Club sources have
privately dismissed suggestions that there are plans to invite the
Frenchman into a boardroom position at the Emirates in the close season.
Wenger, 63 this year, has consistently said that he intends to honour a
contract that expires in 2014. On Saturday, he indicated that he wants to
oversee an Arsenal revival.
“We have what it takes at the club [to rebuild in the summer] and we will add
what it takes,” Wenger said. Arsenal still believe they can attract top
players this summer – with Lukas Podolski, Mario Gotze and Eden Hazard among
their targets – but they know that Champions League qualification is
critical to that aim.
They also face major challenges – and decisions – over existing players, with
Robin van Persie, Theo Walcott, Andrei Arshavin and Tomas Rosicky all
approaching the end of their contracts.
Wenger retains hope that
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