Wenger signs new deal

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger today agreed a three-year extension to his contract and promised to bring more success to the Barclays Premiership champions.

The new deal means the Frenchman will stay with the Gunners at least until May 31, 2008 and will oversee the team as they move to their new stadium in August 2006.

In eight years at Highbury, the 55-year-old has won the title and the FA Cup three times each and the Gunners have not finished outside the Premiership’s top two.

Wenger arrived at Highbury after leaving Japanese club Grampus Eight in September 1996 and, in conjunction with players he signed and turned into world-class stars like Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira, has made the north London club the dominant force in English football.

Arsenal went through last season unbeaten and their record-breaking 49-match undefeated run came to an end at Manchester United at the weekend, but the Champions League continues to elude them.

Wenger’s intention to put that right is clear after he agreed his new deal.

“My intention has always been clear,” he said today. “I love this club and am very happy here – signing a new contract just rubber-stamps my desire to take this club forward and fulfil my ambitions.

“I still have so much to achieve and my target is to drive this club on, not only by sustaining our recent success but building upon it.

“These are exciting times for Arsenal and I’m proud to be the manager.”

Wenger, who will field some of his highly-rated young reserve players in the Carling Cup third-round trip to Manchester City tonight, has been linked on several occasions with Real Madrid but he believes he can fulfil all his ambitions with Arsenal.

Chairman Peter Hill-Wood told the club website, www.arsenal.com: “We are absolutely delighted that Arsene has signed an extension to his contract.

“Since his arrival in 1996, he has revolutionised the club both on and off the pitch.

“As well as the six major honours he’s won during his time here, Arsene has been a leading influence behind all the major initiatives at the club including the construction of our new training centre and also our new stadium.

“The club has continued to reap the benefits of Arsene’s natural eye for unearthing footballing talent and we currently have a fantastic crop of young players coming through the ranks together with a number of world-class players who are playing a wonderful brand of football.”