Wenger's meeting with Real Madrid president fails to unsettle Arsenal

Arsenal said yesterday that they were "not perturbed" by reports that their manager, Arsène Wenger, had met the Real Madrid president, Florentino Perez. The meeting occurred last Friday, at Orly airport in Paris, fuelling speculation that Wenger is to succeed the Real coach, Vicente del Bosque, whose contract ends in the summer.

According to the French sports newspaper L'Equipe, Wenger and Perez were joined at a hotel by Real's director of sport, Jorge Valdano, and the agent Marc Roger, who until recently acted for Patrick Vieira and was also involved in the transfer from Highbury of Nicolas Anelka. When contacted by the newspaper about the meeting, Wenger said: "I met lots of people on Friday". However, he added: "I am still contracted for two years at Arsenal and I will go to the end of this engagement. We will see what happens after that, but I could even stay at Arsenal."

Wenger has also made it clear he feels a "moral" obligation to stay, particularly as many star players have linked their futures to his. Thierry Henry recently extended his contract until 2007 while Patrick Vieira has indicated a willingness to remain, as has Robert Pires. Both are out of contract next year and are currently in talks.

Although it seems highly unlikely that Wenger will leave, he has been frustrated by the delays and costs of building Arsenal's new home at Ashburton Grove and has constantly stressed the advantages in budgets and revenues enjoyed by Manchester United. It is also unlikely that Wenger was discussing the transfer of players since such deals are handled at Arsenal by David Dein, the vice-chairman.

It is the second time in a matter of days that Wenger has been linked to the Real job and it has emerged that he had a clause in his contract allowing him to leave at the end of a season. Last week the Spanish sports newspaper Marca suggested that the Frenchman would replace Del Bosque, who has been offered an extension based on his current salary, which he turned down. Valdano said then that the club could look overseas for a replacement. Another name mentioned is that of the Juventus coach, Marcello Lippi.

The newspaper quoted Del Bosque, who has won the Champions' League twice in three years but was criticised for the semi-final defeat by Juventus, as saying: "I won't be annoyed if they are looking at another option." Valdano, however, has denied approaching anyone.

Arsenal, meanwhile, took the unusual step of issuing a brief statement yesterday which read: "We are not perturbed by reports linking Arsène Wenger to Real Madrid. Arsène has reiterated his commitment to the club on a number of occasions and we see no reason to pass further comment on the subject."