Arsene Wenger has revealed that his future will not be affected by Arsenal finishing outside of the top four.

In one of the clearest public indications that he will stay, Wenger says the club’s leadership and transfer plans will not change even if they miss out on the Champions League for the first time in his 20 year reign.

He is expected to sign a new deal after the end of the season with Arsenal refusing to give up on pipping Liverpool or Manchester City to a place in the top four before they face Chelsea in the FA Cup final at Wembley.

The Gunners boss insists it will not be a “disaster” if they miss out while they are also on course to get more points and have already scored more goals and got more wins than last season.

Wenger said: “I believe finishing outside the top four will not have any influence on the way the club will be led and how we will behave in the transfer market.

Wenger remains under huge pressure from Arsenal fans (
Image:
REUTERS)

“It will be frustrating if we don’t get in. I still think we just have to give our best to get to 75 points and if it doesn’t happen, it doesn’t happen. At least we have done our job well to the end.

“I started the season to win the Premier League and when you don’t do it, you’re never completely satisfied, like everybody else. But as well, it’s not disastrous.

“I think what’s encouraging is the way the team develops recently and the way the ambition of the team is back. Overall I think it’s difficult to get points in this league, it’s difficult for everybody.

“I would say we would be a victim of a lack of consistency that we have shown through the season. Overall, that is in a very short spell where we have paid for it.

"We are a victim of nobody. If we make 75 points, we can only be beaten by one point.”

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Wenger also made it clear he is thinking about next season with his transfer planning but he fears that both Manchester clubs and Chelsea will spend big this summer.

“Man United will bounce back well next season,” said Wenger. “They will buy players. It is very tight with Man City. They will buy again. That is part of the modern challenge now, to find the players who will strengthen the team.

“To buy doesn’t necessarily mean success. There is a shortage of top level players. There are some big teams in Europe who have big players but they do not need to sell them.

“You look and we are certainly the richest league in Europe, but there are still some top level players who play in other leagues. There is more money available than good players.”

But Wenger also made it clear that if they do end up in the Europa League then Arsenal will take it seriously next season and go out to win it.

Wenger hit out at sides resting players (
Image:
Stuart MacFarlane)

Some Premier League clubs have fielded weakened teams in the competition but Wenger sees it as a trophy worth winning.

He added: “Apart from the League Cup, where we always play the younger players to give them a chance to develop, we take all the other competitions seriously.

“I think I play in my eighth Cup final. You don’t do that if you don’t take competitions seriously. But at the moment we are not in the case (of playing Europa League).”

There has been talk of a fan boycott from the Sunderland game but Wenger urged the fans to get behind the team. The attendances always include season tickets and seats sold and Wenger made it clear that is what counts.

Wenger added: “My message is always the same, it is to support the team. I think we are always sold out so I don’t know where you get that impression (empty seats). But that doesn’t mean we are not sold out.”

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