Wenger backs England World Cup bid

The Emirates is one of the candidate venues for the World Cup (GETTY IMAGES)

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes England deserve the World Cup in 2018 - and would be happy to become an ambassador for the bid if approached.

The Gunners' 60,000-seater Emirates Stadium is one of the candidate venues in London, along with Wembley and Tottenham's proposed new ground.

The England bid team are regrouping from a rocky period which has seen the departure of seven board members, the latest being Premier League chairman Sir Dave Richards, who stood down on Tuesday.

Chief executive of the 2018 bid Andy Anson insists his board need to put an end to any in-fighting and gain some positive momentum.

The likes of current England captain John Terry and David Beckham are already part of the support team, and Frenchman Wenger - who this season became the longest serving manager in Arsenal's history - would gladly lend his backing if requested.

"I am a big supporter of the England bid for the World Cup in 2018. If I can help them, I would be very happy," said the Gunners boss.

"This country deserves the World Cup. They have not had it for a long time.

"It is not normal that the country which created the sport has not had the World Cup since 1966.

"Countries like Germany have had it twice."

Wenger rejected suggestions the current bid was lacking direction.

He said: "I do not understand a lot of stories that the campaign is not run in a good way.

"I don't know how you can say it is run good or bad.

"If you have the infrastructure, the stadiums, the passion, the power to organise, I don't understand a lot of all the rest.

"But if I can help, I would be happy to do it.

"However, I have a job to do here and I must focus on that."