Arsenal boss, Arsene Wenger, has signed a new two-year contract extension with the club on Wednesday and insists he has “unlimited ambitions” for the next two years. He said with the support of the fans, he can help take the club to the next level.
On Tuesday Wenger had agreed a contract extension at the club, with the Gunners having now officially confirmed that the Frenchman is staying put for at least two more years.
The former Monaco boss has been with Arsenal for over 20 years now although a number of fans have become frustrated at the lack of progress being made by the club in recent seasons.
That culminated in a fifth-placed finish in the Premier League for the 2016-17 season, the first time the club has failed to qualify for the Champions League under Wenger, but he has called for the club’s fans to get behind him.
He told the club’s official website: “The message to the fans is in aid of the club. Let’s be together to support our players, to support the club and all give our absolute best to be at the level that we want to be.
“We can move up to the next level, I’m convinced of that, by having faith in the way we want to play football and by supporting the players we have already.
“Of course we’ll try to strengthen our squad to be stronger next season, but we want to be faithful to the way we want to play the game. We want to support this way [of playing] all together.”
When asked what owner Stan Kroenke had said to him regarding the club’s ambitions, he added: “They are of course unlimited. We live in a very competitive world where you need the support of the owner as well.
Majority owner of the North London club, Stan Kroenke said: “Our ambition is to win the Premier League and other major trophies in Europe. It’s what the fans, players, staff, manager and board expect and we won’t rest until that is achieved.
“Arsène is the best person to help us make that happen. He has a fantastic track record and has our full backing.”
Wenger and chief executive Ivan Gazidis have conducted a full review of our on and off the pitch activities to identify areas for improvement to build a sustained title challenge.
The Frenchman, who lifted the FA Cup for a record-breaking seventh time on Saturday, said: “I love this club and I am looking forward to the future with optimism and excitement.
“We are looking at what we do well and how we can be stronger everywhere. This is a strong group of players and with some additions we can be even more successful. We’re committed to mounting a sustained league challenge and that will be our focus this summer and next season.
“I am grateful to have the support of the board and Stan in doing everything we can to win more trophies. It’s what we all want and I know it’s what our fans around the world demand.”
In addition to the record £110m investment in players last summer, we have made almost £40 million investment in facilities at our London Colney training centre and the Academy at Hale End in the last two years.
Ivan said: “There is no complacency anywhere at this club. Our goal is to compete for and win trophies here and in Europe. Everything we do is designed to make that happen and we will be working hard on and off the pitch this summer to improve and make a strong challenge next season. The club has grown beyond recognition in every aspect in recent years and we have the platform to be successful and meet the ambitions we and our fans share.”
Wenger joined Arsenal from the French club Monaco in 1996.
