Despite another trophyless season Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is expected to sign a new contract after next Saturday's final Premiership game of the season at Southampton. The Frenchman has been linked with several clubs on the continent throughout the season with his current contract expiring in June 2002, but Wenger insists his future is at Highbury and should be confirmed sooner rather than later.
Wenger secured a memorable league and cup double in his debut season in English football in 1998, but has failed to land any silverware since despite appearances in two finals and finishing second to Manchester United in three successive years.
Wenger believes it will take a maximum of just two more meetings with the Arsenal board to thrash out the final details of the new deal, which should see him sign up for an additional two years. That would keep the former Monaco coach at Highbury until 2004 when Arsenal expect to be in a new 60,000 stadium at Ashburton Grove, less than a mile from their current home.
Wenger confirmed: "I have not agreed anything yet but I know in my mind what I'll do and we will sit down together after the Southampton game. It will take a maximum of two meetings to decide things. I say that because it always takes time. It is like a girl being told never to say yes on a first date. But it should not take too long and you will know more after the Southampton game. After that it could take a maximum of a second meeting but I am saying that only on my side. I can't give you a decision because you need to know what the board wants."
Filed by Shane Murray
