LONDON: Long-serving Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has signed a new two-year contract, the club announced on Wednesday, ending months of speculation about his future.
Wenger has presided over a gruelling season, which saw his team fail to qualify for the Champions League, but masterminded a stunning FA Cup final win over Chelsea last weekend.
The 67-year-old Frenchman's new deal, which will take his tenure up to 23 years, is believed to have been rubber-stamped during a board meeting on Tuesday.
"I love this club and I am looking forward to the future with optimism and excitement. We are looking at what we do well and how we can be stronger everywhere," Wenger told Arsenal's website.
"This is a strong group of players and with some additions we can be even more successful."
Arsenal said Wenger and chief executive Ivan Gazidis had conducted "a full review of our on and off-the-pitch activities" to identify areas for improvement in view of a title challenge.
American majority shareholder Stan Kroenke said: "Our ambition is to win the Premier League and other major trophies in Europe.
"It's what the fans, players, staff, manager and board expect and we won't rest until that is achieved.
"Arsene is the best person to help us make that happen. He has a fantastic track record and has our full backing."
Wenger's new contract brings to an end the most traumatic season of his near 21-year Arsenal tenure.
Arsenal missed out on Champions League qualification for the first time in 20 years and were thrashed 10-2 on aggregate by Bayern Munich in the Champions League last 16.
He has come under greater pressure from supporters than ever before, with fans holding 'Wenger Out' placards, boycotting home games and chartering planes to trail banners calling for him to go.
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