Arsenal board urged to decide on Arsene Wenger's future well before contract expires in 2019

Arsenal have been urged to clarify manager Arsene Wenger’s future well before his current contract expires in 2019 to avoid the confusion which damaged the team’s performances last season.

A survey of Arsenal Supporters’ Trust (AST) members ahead of the club’s Annual General Meeting on Thursday found that 90 per cent believe “the board should make a firm decision” and announce the Frenchman’s intentions ahead of time.

The Gunners lost seven out of 12 matches in all competitions between January 31 and April 10 as uncertainty was rife with Wenger weighing up whether to sign a new two-year deal.

He eventually did so after Arsenal’s FA Cup Final win, meaning he enters the final year of his existing agreement next summer. The survey found 92 per cent believed the board did not handle the situation with best practice while 90 per cent were dissatisfied with majority shareholder Stan Kroenke’s running of the club. Two-thirds want a Director of Football appointed, something Wenger opposed.