Arsenal keen to keep Wenger

Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis has dismissed concerns manager Arsene Wenger could soon walk away from the club.

Wenger, 62, gave an interview with L’Equipe last month in which hinted he would consider his future at the end of the season.

The Frenchman has come under criticism following Arsenal’s failure to pick up any silverware since the 2005 FA Cup.

But Gazidis believes there is every chance Wenger will decide to extend his 14-year tenure at the north London club.

“Arsene’s only 62 and in great shape and I don’t sense any weakening of his desire,” Gazidis said.

“Nobody knows what the future holds but it is entirely possible that he will be with the club for a long time to come.”

According to Gazidis, Wenger’s comments to L’Equipe contradicted a recent discussion between the pair, during which they spoke about the team’s long-term future.

“I read that (L’Equipe interview) but the conversation I had with him in Athens was talking about squad planning for 2016-17,” Gazidis said.

“I know what he meant by talking about the short term. He wants to be successful and that’s important.”

“At the same time he cares about this club so deeply, he’s thinking about things that will only impact the club after he has gone.”

“That (managerial stability) is very unusual – not unique – but very unusual. Football is a very volatile world.”

“One of the great advantages we have through our continuity – and Manchester United have this in Sir Alex Ferguson – is that we have a manager who actually puts the club above his own self interest.”

Gazidis knows Wenger will inevitably leave, but he is adamant the legacy of Arsenal’s longest-serving manager will live on at the Emirates Stadium.

“That transition, whenever it happens, will be very significant for the club,” he said.

“I can’t predict exactly how. It certainly isn’t happening in the foreseeable future.”

“You’ll always have significant challenge when a giant like Arsene does decide to move on to something new.”

“A lot of discussions are about things that will be in place after he’s gone. His departure wouldn’t invalidate that. His knowledge and vision is embedded into the club. It is hard-wired into us.”