Wenger’s grounds for optimism

ARSENE WENGER has vowed to sign a new Arsenal contract to ensure that he leads the club into their new 60,000-capacity stadium in 2006.

Wenger hailed the club's announcement yesterday that they had secured funding for the £357 million scheme at Ashburton Grove as "one of the most important dates in our history".

Despite delays over complicated planning and financing issues, Wenger has always believed a new stadium is imperative to enable Arsenal to keep pace with Manchester United.