Arsenal V Aston Villa at Emirates Stadium : Match Preview

14 May 2016 12:34
Arsenal V Aston Villa - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.


Arsene Wenger expects players to remain professional despite uncertain future

Arsene Wenger believes his players will remain professional even if a decision over his future as Arsenal boss is not made until the end of next season.

The Frenchman has just one year remaining on his contract and on Friday he denied reports he was set to sign a two-year extension.

Instead, he said, has he always has, he will at least honour his current deal before making up his mind over whether he will extend what will be a stay of over two decades.

This season, Wenger has seen growing unrest among supporters, with a number of fans' groups calling for an end to his reign as the 12-year wait for a Barclays Premier League title continues.

But he could yet decide to remain in the Emirates Stadium hot-seat, although nothing is likely to happen until late next season.

"I will wait very late, yes," he replied when asked if he would wait until the end of the campaign.

"It's not about me, it's about the club. My role is just to serve the club as well as I can and after see where I stand and where the club is.

"I have to forget about myself even if people who want to create unrest don't. I will continue to give my absolute best to do well next season and then after that, we'll see."

Wenger confirmed he does not anticipate talks with the board during next season and said there would be no impact on his players, or his own work, over the course of the year.

"My appetite is stronger than ever," he said. "I believe I am a professional man who respects his contract and stays until the end, whether it is one year or two years or three years - that doesn't change.

"Even if I decide in January that I will not extend my contract, that will not affect my attitude.

"It can [affect the players], yes. But the players are like me - they are professional.

"When you are a professional, you sign a contract, you never know. To be professional is to give your best as long as you have the contract."

Despite campaigns and protests against both Wenger and those on the board at Arsenal, the manager's name was chanted during Sunday's 2-2 draw at Manchester City which sealed a 19th consecutive season in the Champions League.

If Wenger gets a similar reaction during the lap of honour after their final game at home to Aston Villa on Sunday, he will go into the summer still uncertain of his own decision, with the 66-year-old saying he would take the fans' input into consideration: "What you want is for your supporters to be happy. That is why you work very hard."

Arsenal will be without Danny Welbeck with the England forward facing nine months on the sidelines following a serious knee injury.

Jack Wilshere is in line for his first start since last year's FA Cup final with Santi Cazorla also in contention.

Eric Black expects to leave Villa this weekend but the Scot believes he will be able to walk away with his head held high despite overseeing the club's relegation during his spell as caretaker manager.

Black has failed to win any of his six matches, losing five, since stepping in when Remi Garde left the club at the end of March. Villa's inevitable relegation was confirmed with a 1-0 defeat at Manchester United a month ago.

The 52-year-old, who in January left Rotherham to become first-team coach at Villa Park, was placed in charge for the remainder of the season and Villa conclude a dismal campaign against Arsenal.

Black said: "I've been told to take the team until the last game. I'd imagine that will be it for me on Sunday but I'll just wait and see. That will all be out of my hands, like one or two others. I'm sure there are other staff in a similar position to myself .

"But it is what is is, it's football. Whatever happens I can hold my head high, definitely.

"I'm quite comfortable with that. A lot of people will have their own opinion on that, many of which will probably be that I should have won more games or been slightly more adventurous, but I can live with all that.

"I had to do things in a certain way under difficult circumstances so I will walk away and we'll see what happens."

Alan Hutton and Ciaran Clark are fresh concerns with calf and ankle problems respectively while fellow defender Kieran Richardson remains a doubt with the calf complaint.

However, Aly Cissokho is available again after suspension while striker Rudy Gestede has resumed training after a groin injury.


Source: PAR