Arsene Wenger: Arsenal manager refuses to leave club at end of season even if Gunners miss out on title

Wenger is under pressure to salvage Arsenal's season but says he will not leave the club while he still has a year to run on his contract

Arsene Wenger says he will not leave Arsenal before his contract expires (Getty Images)

Arsene Wenger has insisted that he will not walk away from Arsenal at the end of the season even if the club end the campaign without any silverware.

The 66-year-old will enter the final year of his current contract at the end of the season, but with Arsenal sitting in third in the Premier League table and having experienced recent elimination in both the FA Cup and Champions League, Wenger is facing increasing pressure from fans over his future.

Some have resorted to bringing signs and banners to matches calling for Wenger to leave, while others have booed the team during their recent dismal run of one win in eight matches.

However, Wenger has appeared in an interview with Bein Sports to reiterate his commitment to the north London club and insist that he will not be forced out of his position before the end of his contract.

Asked if he has any doubts over his role with the club, Wenger said: “I have no doubt because I am committed. When I do something, I do it 100 per cent. I’m always committed to give my best as long as I am at the club. I believe in life you should focus on what you’re appointed for and I’m appointed to perform and do the best for my club. That’s all I focus on.”

Wenger also spoke out against those who have publicly criticised him and his players, and claimed that he is happy as long as he continues to give his best, despite what those in the stands think.

“I think that the criticism during the season is not very welcome when you fight for the championship, especially after the game against Tottenham where we were a bit unlucky,” Wenger added.

“You have to live with that. I have my conscience. What is the most important is that I give my best every day, I work for the club I love and if I can share that love with the supporters it’s even better.

A banner is displayed at Goodison Park protesting against Wenger (Getty Images)

“I don’t worry too much about all the rest, what people say. All the rest is judgments, opinions and that is linked with the beliefs from the last result or the last disappointment or the last happiness. In my job you focus on what is important and that’s to perform. My future is my future. I don’t master that more than you.”

Arsenal have plenty of work to do in the coming weeks if they want to have any say in the destination of the Premier League title, with the Gunners trailing leaders Leicester City by 11 points with a game in hand. They trail fierce rivals Tottenham, who sit in second, by six points having played a game less than Spurs, while their top four status is far from certain with the chasing pack of Manchester City, West Ham and Manchester United all within touching distance with five points separating the four clubs.