ARSENE WENGER has agreed a new three-year contract with
Arsenal. The Gunners boss has been stalling on signing an extension
to his current deal, which runs out at the end of this season. But
Wenger has now given his word that he will commit his future to the
North London club until 2011. The new contract is worth around £3
million a year.
There had been speculation that the Frenchman would want get-out
clauses, allowing him to leave Arsenal at the end of each year
but that is not the case. Wengers agreement is a major boost to
Gunners chairman Peter Hill-Wood, who saw vice-chairman David Dein
leave the club in April. Deins departure upset the manager and led
him to consider his future.
Wengers relationship with his captain, William Gallas, however,
could become strained as another club versus country row brews.
Gallas is out of action for three weeks after damaging a hamstring
against Blackburn last Saturday. And France boss Raymond Domenech
wants him to join them for treatment on the injury.
Domenech said: William wants to spend 10 days at our
Clairefontaine HQ to have treatment. I hope Arsenal will agree.
Wenger is almost certain to reject the idea and insist his own
staff treat Gallas.
