Arsenal remain relaxed on future of Arsene Wenger despite current deal expiring in the summer

Gunners' boss is in the final year of his contract but the club will not rush into talks over an extension

Arsene Wenger has admitted he would like to extend his contract with Arsenal (GETTY IMAGES)

Arsenal are not rushing Arsene Wenger into signing a new contract with the club despite his current deal expiring in the summer.

The Frenchman, who turns 64 next month, has admitted he would like to extend his stay at the Emirates having joined the north London club in 1996, but Arsenal officials are believed to be relaxed over the matter for the time being.

Wenger continues to have the full support of owner Stan Kroenke and the rest of the board, despite having received criticism from some fans who are desperate to see the side’s trophy drought come to an end.

Chief executive Ivan Gazidis has stressed that discussions regarding Wenger’s new contract will remain behind closed doors, but Wenger is not the only one preparing for the possibility of a new deal.

Defenders Per Mertesacker and Bacary Sagna are likely to be offered contract extensions in the near future, while Tomas Rosicky has entered the final year of his current deal and is believed to be happy to extend his stay with the Gunners.

The board are also said to have been impressed by Wenger’s signing of £42.5m German Mesut Ozil, with a phone call from the manager himself – in German – proving the deciding factor in signing the 24-year-old attacking midfielder.

Wenger maintained that he would land a “world class signing” throughout the summer, and backed up his promise to “surprise” fans on deadline day with the transfer of Ozil, and he has remained undeterred in drive for success with the club having not won a trophy since the 2005 FA Cup triumph.

He has also spoken on his desire to not let his own future cloud performances on the pitch, as well as bringing in any potential signings.

Speaking before last week’s north London derby victory over Tottenham, Wenger said: "Look, my future at the moment is not the most important thing.

"I am not on the transfer market, so that is not a priority."

Arsenal resume their Premier League campaign after the international break with a trip to Sunderland next Saturday, before they travel to France to take on Marseille in the Champions League.