Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger ready to stay put despite increasing fan unrest   

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You would have thought Arsenal's slump to sixth in the Premier League table would have led to Arsene Wenger contemplating his exit from the club.

That was the conclusion drawn by many when the Arsenal boss revealed after this defeat at West Brom that he had made up his mind about his future.

But on Sunday night sources claimed Arsenal's six defeats in nine games had only served to strengthen his resolve to sign a new contract.

Defeat at West Brom has only strengthened Arsene Wenger's desire to remain at Arsenal 

Fans who used to idolise Wenger have turned on him -  as have the banners they display

Staff at the club's London Colney training base say that they have noticed a positive change in Wenger's mood last week, viewed as an indication he has decided to stay. Before signing his previous deal in 2014, staff noticed a similar change in Wenger's mood.

Days later he began telling staff that he was staying.

Wenger, who retains the support of most players, has agreed a two-year contract extension, but the Frenchman has not signed the deal. A compromise of a 12-month extension has been explored, but this would be a rolling contract.

Wenger — aware of growing discontent from fans — is still not ruling out leaving when his contract expires this summer. The prospect of Arsenal finishing outside the top four and missing out on FA Cup glory could yet see the manager walk away.

But Wenger said on Saturday that missing out on the Champions League for the first time in 20 years would not form the basis of his decision.

'No, no, no, no, no, I take a bigger perspective than that,' Wenger said. 'It's not the last result that will decide what I will do. It will not necessarily be linked with the top four because I've done that 20 times. It's more… it's not that.

Craig Dawson (left) capitalised on some awful defending from the Gunners to head two goals

The defeat at the Hawthorns saw Arsenal slip to sixth in the Premier League table

'Of course on the sporting front it would be a blow but financially the Champions League does not have the impact any more that it had five or six years ago because of the influx of the television money. That was for a long time the case but not today.'

The protests against Wenger at The Hawthorns included banners in the Arsenal end demanding his departure and even a plane flying above the stadium carrying the same message.

A second plane was also hired to encourage trust in Wenger, but it all represents an undignified conclusion to the season.

Wenger said: 'Everybody in life is responsible for his own behaviour. I'm responsible for my own behaviour. I don't judge other people. I give my best. As long as I am at the club, whether for two more years, 10 more years or four more months, that will not be different. As for all the rest, everybody has to look at themselves.'

There was even a chorus of, 'You don't know what you're doing,' from Arsenal fans when a hobbling Alexis Sanchez was substituted. 'That means that they know,' Wenger said tersely.

Before the game at the Hawthorns a banner flew demanding no new contract for Wenger

Later in the game a different banner was flown showing some fans still support Wenger

Tony Pulis, the West Brom manager, offered his opinion after shaking hands with Wenger after the full-time whistle. 'I'll be surprised if he goes,' he said. Asked why, Pulis chuckled: 'Because he told me!'

When he holds talks with the board over his future, Wenger will be urged to loosen his grip on Arsenal's footballing operation.

The club's directors are keen to introduce changes to the club's structure, as they prepare for life after Wenger. As Sportsmail reported last month, the club hierarchy want to delegate some of Wenger's responsibilities, which may involve appointing a technical director.

This has become particularly necessary with the club's chief negotiator, Dick Law, thought to be considering leaving the club within the next 18 months. Additions to Wenger's backroom staff, which has been criticised for being 'stale', may also be discussed. 

Wenger announced he has made a decision on his future after the West Brom defeat