This was the year in which Arsene Wenger thought he had scaled the mountain, only to find an even larger peak standing in his path.

Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood has insisted the Gunners will hold on to their best players and strengthen the team.

Arsenal last night faced calls from fans to spend more money on the team after half-yearly figures revealed a profit of £17.8m (€20.5m) generated by player sales — and cash reserves of £123m (€142m).

The Arsenal board need to look at themselves rather than just the narrower issue of Arsene Wenger’s future at the club when they meet today, according to a supporters’ group.

ARSENAL chief executive Ivan Gazidis has told Arsene Wenger that his job is safe unless the club’s fans turn on him.

Stan Kroenke’s controlling interest in Arsenal has been officially ratified by the Premier League and the American has given other shareholders a fortnight to accept his unconditional offer for their holdings.

WOJCIECH SZCZESNY insists Arsenal are not about to throw in the towel as they battle to overhaul Manchester United’s imposing lead at the top of the Barclays Premier League — and declared the team owe their disappointed fans a response with victory at arch-rivals Tottenham tomorrow night.

Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov insists he will not sell his stake in Arsenal after fellow shareholder Stan Kroenke triggered a mandatory buyout offer for the club.

US entrepreneur Stan Kroenke is believed to be in advanced talks to take over control of Arsenal.

Arsene Wenger will take his battle-weary Arsenal squad to Blackpool on Sunday knowing there can be no more bad days at the office if the Gunners are to salvage their Barclays Premier League title bid.

ARSENAL Supporters’ Trust have expressed their “considerable disappointment” over the Gunners’ recent results, but will reserve final judgment on Arsene Wenger’s young squad until the end of the season when they will continue holding the club to account — both on and off the pitch.

ARSENAL risk losing a significant number of their loyal fans by raising season ticket prices for next season, a supporters group has warned.

ARSENAL chief executive Ivan Gazidis has spelled out his plan to keep the Gunners’ “key talents” at the Emirates Stadium as the club announced half-yearly figures that showed a rise in player wages and a drop in football-related profits.

Arsenal director Stan Kroenke yesterday continued to invest in the club, increasing his stake in the Gunners to 28.3%.

The Arsenal Supporters’ Trust have voiced concern over the future ownership of the club following the departure of a major shareholder.

David Dein’s sudden departure from Arsenal has left supporters fearing manager Arsene Wenger will follow him out of the door.