Arsene Wenger will agree a new deal with Arsenal in March, according to reports.
Arsenal expect to tie Wenger down to a new 2-year deal during the international break in March, allowing them to focus on extensions for key players Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez, according to the Mirror,
Wenger’s future has been at its most uncertain this season, with no one sure about whether or not he will step down at the end of the season or continue his reign as Arsenal manager. Wenger has been in charge at Arsenal since 1996, making this his 20th season in charge of the North London side.
The Frenchman has transformed the club, overseeing their move to the Emirates stadium and famously going unbeaten in the league in the 2003-04 season. Arsenal have since failed to win the league however, and last season Wenger endured the most hostile treatment he has received from fans yet.
Many took this as a sign that the legendary Frenchman would finally call time on his Arsenal career at the end of his current contract, but if the Mirror are to be believed, he isn’t quite done yet. Should Wenger sign a new contract, it could pave the way for successful negotiations with both Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez.
Mesut Ozil stated earlier this month that he wanted to be clear about Arsene Wenger’s future at the club as the Frenchman was one of the main reasons he decided to join Arsenal in the first place. Wenger attempted to sign Ozil before the German opted for Real Madrid, but Ozil has said in the past that he always respected the Frenchman and Arsenal was always his first choice after Madrid.
The news that Wenger will sign a contract might be enough to convince the German to extend his stay at the Emirates, although Arsenal are likely still locked in negotiations with the German over matters that have nothing to do with Wenger.
Alexis Sanchez is also deep in negotiations with Arsenal over a new contract, and despite the Chilean’s assurances that he is happy at the Emirates and wants to stay, he has cut a frustrated figure in recent weeks and the doubts over his future have only grown.
However Wenger signing a new contract will only help the negotiations. Both players have only 18 months remaining on their contracts, and while Wenger has insisted that he will not sell them even if Arsenal have to lose them for free, it is possible that one of them could leave should the contract negotiations fail.
