Wenger set to renew contract

Wenger: Has been too busy to sign a new deal

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is expected to sign a new contract with the club before the start of the season.

Gunners vice-chairman David Dein revealed that Wenger had given the Highbury board an assurance that he will extend his stay at the club.

That has been backed up by Wenger's own pledge that he will make a decision on his future before the new season kicks off next month.

"Arsene has got another year to go on his current contract but he has given the board his assurance that he has the will to commit himself to the club," Dein said.

I would rue the day without Arsene Wenger at Arsenal - there is no 'plan B'

  David Dein
Arsenal vice-chairman

"These things take time and let me just say I would be extremely disappointed if he did not extend his stay here.

"In fact, to put it another way, I expect him to sign.

"Personally, I would rue the day without Arsene Wenger at Arsenal - there is no 'plan B'."

Wenger has spent nearly £25m on four new players this summer, with another signing in the pipeline, and Dein said he would be very surprised if the Frenchman was not going to stay around long-term.

"We are very ambitious and Arsene is very ambitious," Dein said.

"It was a big disappointment to fall behind Manchester United and I am sure he would not have made all these signings if he did not intend to stay around and see them through.

Wenger promise

"There are 19 other clubs who want to win the Premiership and there is no guarantee for success.

"If you look at these Spanish clubs who are building incredible teams , with the likes of Luis Figo and Zinedine Zidane, then that is all very well, but it's not just about spending money.

"It is about getting the right blend together."

Wenger claimed he had been too busy signing new players this summer to put pen to paper on the new contract that has been offered by Arsenal.

Last year there were one or two areas in which we were a bit shor

  Arsene Wenger
Arsenal manager

But he promised to put that right within the next six weeks.

"A decision will be made before the season starts and I hope to sign," Wenger said.

"I felt we had a very good squad last year but maybe there were one or two areas in which we were a bit short.

"Of course, I am very confident this year, but the truth will come out on 18 August in our first game at Middlesbrough."