Arsene Wenger looks likely to remain at Arsenal despite six defeats in nine leading many fans to think he would finally call time on his Arsenal career.
On Sunday, the Express ran an EXCLUSIVE claiming that Wenger would sign a one-year deal as a ‘compromise’.
Now this morning, the Mail elaborate further, stating, “Staff at the club’s London Colney training base say they noticed a positive change in Wenger’s mood last week, viewed as an indication he has decided to stay. Before signing his previous deal in 2014, staff noticed a similar change. Days later he began telling staff that he was staying.”
They aren’t the only paper to run a similar story. The Mirror, Guardian and more all have their own version, reading from the same hymn sheet.
Although a two-year deal is still on offer, some media outlets are now leaning towards a 12-month rolling contract.
Wenger, for his part, said that there is much more to his decision about staying than just making the top four. “No, no, no, no, no, I take a bigger perspective than that,” Wenger said. “It’s not the last result that will decide what I will do. It will not necessarily be linked with the top four because I’ve done that 20 times.
“On the sporting front it would be a blow, but financially the Champions League does not have the impact any more that it had five years ago, because of the influx of television money.
“Everybody in life is responsible for his own behaviour. I’m responsible for my own behaviour. I don’t judge other people. I give my best.
“As long as I am at the club, whether for two more years, 10 more years or four more months, that will not be different. As for all the rest, everybody has to look at themselves.’”
Speaking after Saturday’s game, Tony Pulis revealed, “I’ll be surprised if he goes.” When asked why, Pulis smiled: “Because he told me!”
As I discussed on Sunday, a 12-month deal would make sense, even though many want Wenger to leave now. This would all also seem to fit with Wenger’s post West Brom comments that he has finally made a decision. If you watch, he was smiling as he said it.
The club are not ready. They need Wenger to stay for at least 12 months. For 20 years they seem to have made absolutely no arrangements for life after Wenger.
12 months would, at the very least, allow somebody at the club to do something. Probably Wenger as he seems to be the only one there capable.