ARSENE WENGER last night warned Arsenal he could leave
following the shock exit of his close friend and vice-chairman
David Dein. The French boss confronted the Gunners board yesterday
in the aftermath of the bitter power struggle. And he warned
chairman Peter Hill-Wood that his future is far from certain -
despite the club offering him a new contract.
Wenger, plus senior players including Thierry Henry, have serious
concerns about the direction of the club after Dein's abrupt
departure. The vice-chairman had been backing the growing influence
of American tycoon Stan Kroenke's takeover attempt, believing that
is the only way Arsenal could compete with the financial clout of
Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea.
That forced a clash of views with managing director Keith Edelman
and main shareholder, Danny Fiszman, resulting in Dein's dramatic
exit. And at an hour-long Arsenal board meeting yesterday, attended
by Edelman, Richard Carr and Sir Chips Keswick - but not Fiszman -
at the Emirates Stadium, Wenger made it clear that he still remains
fiercely loyal to Dein.
The meeting had been scheduled to confirm the club's summer
transfer budget, but took on a new importance after the events of
Wednesday. With only a year left on his contract, the showdown will
be a major concern to Arsenal fans. Hill-Wood said: "It is well
known that Arsene and David have got on very well over the past 10
years. "However, I believe that the relationship that Arsene has
with the rest of the board is good and he's on contract with us
until 2008."
