Arsenal: Arsene Wenger signs new three-year contract
Last updated on .From the section Arsenal
Arsene Wenger has signed a three-year deal to remain Arsenal manager.
Wenger has led Arsenal to eight major trophies since arriving in September 1996 and will now stay until 2017.
The 64-year-old has just guided the Gunners to a 17th consecutive Champions League qualification and ended a nine-year wait for silverware with victory over Hull in the FA Cup final.
"We are entering an exciting period. We have a strong squad, financial stability and huge support," he said.
"The club has always shown faith in me and I'm very grateful for that.
"We have gone through fantastic periods and also periods where we have had to stick together. Every time when that togetherness was tested I got the right response.
"I think I have shown some loyalty as well towards this club and hopefully we can make some more history. I am sure we can."
The Frenchman's previous contract was set to expire this summer.
Arsenal had not lifted a major domestic trophy since 2005 prior to the recent FA Cup triumph, although they did reach the Champions League final in 2006.
During Wenger's time at the club, Arsenal moved to the new Emirates Stadium close to their old ground at Highbury.
Wenger, who became the longest-serving manager in England when Sir Alex Ferguson retired from Manchester United in May 2013, is credited with bringing new ideas about sports science and nutrition to English football.
"This is a guy who works 24 hours a day all year around," former Arsenal goalkeeper Bob Wilson told BBC Radio 5 live.
"He hates to lose. He totally revolutionised all sorts of things in the game in this country. People tend to think he has too much power, (but) a guy who dedicates himself to the game in the manner that he does is someone you treasure."
Wenger has not enjoyed the easiest of seasons, and a 6-0 thrashing by Chelsea in March during his 1,000th game in charge led to suggestions this season could be his last at the club.
Arsenal chairman Sir Chips Keswick said: "Arsene is a man of principle, who lives and breathes Arsenal.
"He has established Arsenal for its exciting playing style around the world, continues his commitment to young players and has the ability to bring top-class players to the club."
Wenger has won three league titles, five FA Cups and four Charity/Community Shields during his time at Arsenal.
His greatest achievement was when his 'Invincibles' remained unbeaten in winning the 2003-04 Premier League.
Arsenal have not won the title since, and, despite being in contention for much of this season following the club record signing of Mesut Ozil for £42.4m, they faded to finish fourth for the sixth time in nine years.
Stan Kronke, Arsenal's major shareholder, said: "Sustained excellence is the hardest thing to achieve in sport.
"The fact Arsenal has competed at the top of the game in England and Europe throughout the time Arsene has been manager is the ultimate testimony to his consistency of performance, talent and ambition.
"We are delighted with the FA Cup success which has added to his already outstanding record. Under his guidance, we look forward to adding more trophies."
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Any other manager would struggle for that reliability.
Got to be applauded.
I wonder how Jose feels, trophyless, after Madrid won the CL as soon as he left, and CFC won nothing as soon as he returned! He's a Specialist in Spending, pressure is on HIM this season!
But lets face it, it really is time to splash the cash now...
Every other team in the prem and the championship moan about lack of stability and chairmen wielding the axe every five mins. Arsenal board back the same guy for over a decade and people say they are not bold enough to sack him! Make your minds up!
everything else was plastic
...good luck Mr.Wenger you will survive the next 100 Mouhinious...
come on the gunners
Great big new ground, well run club with loads of money, some great players, attractive football, champions league every year, top 4 every year, loads of stability and a manager and board that see eye to eye.
You lot should come up to elland road with me sometime.
Agree completely. Not only good to see a club stand by their manager, but a manager standing by his club. How many of Europe's so called top managers would stay, while spending 9 years without a trophy at a financially uncompetitive club?
Arsenal would have been nowhere without AW. He's simply the only man for the job. He's one league title away from being a legendary manager- hope he gets it
You forgot the #YNWA bit.
So now the FA cup is made of tin now is it ?
Well then that only leaves the P/.L. & the C/L worth winning .
92 league clubs are dreaming/hoping to win the P/L, and 100's of teams the C/L.
So really its only worth supporting 2 or 3 wealthy clubs then hey ?
Most football fans have a love for certain club,come what may.
Your way of thinking makes you a glory hunter or an idiot,or both.