Dein: Gunners should stick with Wenger

Former Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein believes the club should retain manager Arsene Wenger, despite their six-year trophy drought.

North London club Arsenal have not won a major honour since their 2005 FA Cup triumph, with some observers suggesting it may time for Wenger’s 15-year reign to come to an end.

Dein left his position with Arsenal in 2007, but maintains a close friendship with Wenger and continues to back the French coach as the best man for the job at the Emirates Stadium.

“People have to remember what he’s done and achieved,” Dein said.

“It’s easy in life to get rid of people but then what? Getting someone better is the trick.”

“How do you follow Arsene Wenger? That is not going to be an easy exercise.”

“He has got a talented array of players and obviously he wants to improve and I know for a fact that he is looking to bring in two or three more players if he can.”

“Arsene is very focused and determined – I see him regularly and he still has as much fire in his belly as he had when he started. He wants to win. I do believe in his ability.”

“He will admit he has probably had the most difficult couple of years of his career – for two reasons. One is the fact the game is getting more competitive. There is money coming in and it is more intense.”

“Secondly, he had to contend with the fact that he hasn’t achieved what he would have hoped to achieve – albeit he has done remarkably well in the quality and style of play, but he and the fans want to win trophies.”

“But you under-rate Arsene at your peril.”

Arsenal secured three English Premier League titles during Wenger’s first eight years in charge, but have repeatedly fallen short at home and abroad in the recent seasons.

With the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City all spending big as they attempt to challenge for the league championship, Dein knows his former club have no automatic right to lift silverware each season.

“Arsenal are expecting success all the time but that’s not easy – you cannot turn on a tap and guarantee to win games,” Dein said.

“Any chairman or manager who comes out publicly and says they are going to win a trophy is deluding themselves.”

“Who know what can happen in football? Mistakes happen, you get injuries, suspensions.”