29/05/2017
Arsenal manager
Arsene Wenger said
he remained in the
dark about his future
after steering his side
to a magnificent 2-1
victory over Chelsea
in the FA Cup final.
Chelsea were chasing
a Premier League and
FA Cup Double, but instead the double was
Arsenal's: a record 13th FA Cup success and an
unprecedented seventh triumph in the
competition for Wenger.
Wenger's future, which has been up in the air for
months, will be settled at a board meeting on
Tuesday, but the 67-year-old said he could not
say for certain whether or not the club's
decision-makers will back him.
"I don't think I can answer that question at the
moment," he told reporters at Wembley after
Saturday's game.
Wenger is reported to have been offered a new
contract, but when asked if he knows what will
happen, he replied: "No. I know my mind. Let's
enjoy the win tonight and not worry about the
future."
Wenger was also dismissive of the notion that
his record-breaking FA Cup success, after
previous wins in 1998, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2014
and 2015, might have an impact on the talks
about his position.
"I believe that it's a positive trend, but it would
be ridiculous if 20 years depends on one game or
the future of the club depends on one game," he
said.
"I believe that I just want to do well for this club
and apart from that I think it's down to the board
members.
"Am I the right man to lead this club further?
And for me to decide, am I the right man to lead
this club further? It's not about popularity, it's
about competence.
"You cannot make 35 years at the top level if
you believe you're not the right man to do the
job."
Wenger came under fire from sections of
Arsenal's support during a Premier League
campaign that concluded with his team failing to
qualify for the Champions League for the first
time in 20 years.
CHELSEA 'HAVE TO IMPROVE'
He described the criticism he had faced as a
"disgrace" in a BBC interview broadcast prior to
the final and returned to the theme after lifting
the trophy.
"I think this season has been hurt by some dip in
March and I am convinced now, having looked
back again at the season, we were hurt by the
uncertainty about my future with the players,"
Wenger said.
"I know I am in a public job. I accept to be
criticised and I accept people don't agree with
me. But once the game starts and you are a fan,
you stand behind the team.
"That's what I did not accept during the season
and I will never accept it."
Antonio Conte fell short in his bid to emulate
Italian countryman Carlo Ancelotti by leading
Chelsea to a Premier League and FA Cup Double
in his first season as manager.
He complained, with justification, that Alexis
Sanchez's fourth-minute opener for Arsenal
should not have been allowed to stand due to a
"very clear" handball, but admitted his team's
start "wasn't good enough".
Despite having Victor Moses sent off after he
received a second yellow card for diving, Chelsea
levelled through Diego Costa in the 76th minute,
only for Aaron Ramsey to head in Arsenal's
winner just three minutes later.
While he hopes to add quality and quantity to his
squad over the close season, Conte said
Saturday's result should not be allowed to tarnish
the memory of Chelsea's superb title triumph.
"Next season for sure we must pay great
attention to understand that we have to
improve," he said. "Numbers in the squad and
also quality.
"I think the players must keep in mind our
fantastic season and also this final.
"It's a pity that we didn't win the FA Cup, but
don't forget we had a big (performance) to arrive
here and we must be proud of this."
