Arsenal fans question Arsene Wenger's future as manager
Arsene Wenger should not be offered a new contract as Arsenal boss, according to the Arsenal Supporters' Trust (AST).

The Gunners have not spent any money in the transfer window and lost 3-1 at home to Aston Villa on the opening day.

"Chief executive Ivan Gazidis has spoken of the intent to offer Wenger a new contract. We believe this is inappropriate," read an AST statement.

"The entire focus must be on using the remaining days of the transfer window to strengthen the team significantly."


"Arsenal supporters pay some of the highest ticket prices in world football, providing the club with considerable financial resources, but the ambition and ability to use them appear to be missing.

"The fact that there is money available for squad-strengthening is not disputed. The AST's independent analysis suggests that the amount is somewhere between £70m-£100m."

It also wants American owner Stan Kroenke to take decisive action.

"Stan Kroenke does not attend many Arsenal matches nor seem to have the time to devote to the affairs of Arsenal," the statement continued.

"But it is clear to all that the football personnel he is ultimately responsible for are failing. The AST calls on him to appoint an independent expert to conduct a review of all football functions at Arsenal.

"Clearly the interaction between our scouting, negotiating and player purchasing processes are failing and need urgent improvement.

"A decision on whether to offer an extension to the manager's contract, which ends in May 2014, should only be taken following the closing of the transfer window and assessment of the team's performances.

"Considerable improvement must be shown for us to be convinced this should happen."

The AST is the club's official supporters trust and has about 1100 members, including many small shareholders.

Wenger was appointed Arsenal manager in October 1996 and his contract ends in May 2014.

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Everything went against us - Wenger

Arsenal have told BBC Sport that they will not be commenting on the AST statement.

The club qualified for the Champions League in each of the past 16 campaigns but their most recent trophy was the 2005 FA Cup.

After securing fourth place in the Premier League on the final day of last season, Gazidis revealed the board was ready to spend big after an "escalation in our financial firepower" created by new television and sponsorship deals.

But Arsenal's only summer signing to date is the 20-year-old French striker Yaya Sanogo on a free transfer from Ligue 1 side Auxerre, with numerous players leaving the Emirates Stadium.

The AST has called on the club to invest some of their available money - they have a reported cash balance of £154m, which is almost as much as the rest of the other 19 clubs in the Premier League combined.

"Ambitious football clubs invest the money they receive from their fans, and sometimes their owners, to make themselves stronger," said the AST.

Originally Posted by Drew. (Post 6310732) people say be careful what you wish for but i honestly think its time we got someone else in.. i dont know who though. We've always had money to spend, now more than ever and its just sitting there, its a joke and we've been an embarrassment this transfer window.. Higuain for instance was more than happy to come over here and quite keen on the idea but we refused to match Napoli's bid. The Cabaye bid was a complete joke, i felt on par yesterday with how i felt when we signed Arteta.. wasnt really excited by it at all. Good player but hes not going to help us improve that much.

Originally Posted by GiRTh (Post 6310764) I'm surprised its the Official Arsenal Supporters Club who are advising against offering Wenger a new contract. I thought those yes men would be telling us all to calm down and give the board time. Seems they've run out of patience too. I don't really know how I want us to do this year. If we do well Wenger will use it as an excuse to paper over the cracks and say the squad is fine like he's done for the past few seasons.

Originally Posted by Drew. (Post 6310779) most Wenger out polls iv seen have either been 50/50 about him leaving or in favour of him going.. dont think iv seen one yet that has the option "no" winning.. Same, i'm not even sure if i want us to qualify for the CL at the moment.. with the squad we've got we wont be able to handle it and that just means we'll slip up in the league more and i cant see us signing players on the same level as what Spurs are doing at the moment.. its going to be a long long season.

Originally Posted by GiRTh (Post 6310795) Dunno about the CL. If we fail to qualify we go into the Europa which I think we could reach the semi or even the final. Depending on the draw of course. We need to avoid all of the European elite teams but if we do then we might do OK. Not sure if I want that cuz I think Wenger will become even more stubborn if we actually do well in a competition. Its actually quite scary at the number of players we have let go and yet only signed one player on a free. OK most of the players who have left were not good enough but they wer better than nothing. Heard about Bendtner?. Apparently he's not prepared to take a pay cut to play for another team. Apparently he's on about 80k a week. Cant imagine if he were a Man Utd player that he'd be on that kind of money. Anyway, at the age of 25 he'd rather sit on the bench and draw his money every week instead of playing for anyone else. Its the signing of this kind of attitude that has killed our club.

Originally Posted by Shaun (Post 6361678) Fabregas reckons he was Madrid's 2nd best player (after Ronaldo obvs) :/

Originally Posted by bbfan1991 (Post 6361681) Whilst Cesc is warming the bench at Barcelona:D.

Originally Posted by Shaun (Post 6361678) Fabregas reckons he was Madrid's 2nd best player (after Ronaldo obvs) :/