Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal fate and the seven men who will decide it… including Silent Stan and Ivan Gazidis
Long-serving French boss looked dead-set to leave this summer after a dreadful season, before crucial FA Cup final win
AFTER a season of uncertainty, Arsene Wenger is finally set to learn his fate as Arsenal manager today.
The long-serving French boss, 67, was widely expected to lose his job after being hammered 10-2 over two legs by Bayern Munich in the Champions League and failing to make the top four in the Premier League.
It was the first time in Wenger's 20-year tenure the Gunners failed to qualify for Europe's elite tournament, with fans finally losing faith.
However, Arsenal's 2-1 FA Cup final win over champions Chelsea at the weekend left Wenger clinging to a new shred of hope.
The Gunners' chief's contract is set to expire this summer with the board meeting to decide on his future.
But who exactly will be deciding Wenger's fate? Meet the board below...
STAN KROENKE
MAJORITY shareholder at Arsenal since 2011, Kroenke, 67, is one of the seven men in charge of Wenger's future.
A firm supporter of Wenger, he refused to sell to Alisher Usmanov recently.
Owner of a host of US sports teams as well, Kroenke completely trusts Wenger in footballing matters.
JOSH KROENKE
SON of Stan, Josh is the newest and youngest member on the board, aged just 37.
Also involved in a host of his dad's American sporting interests, Josh is president of NBA side the Denver Nuggets.
Rarely seen watching Arsenal, Kroenke Jnr is expected to side with his pro-Wenger father.
SIR CHIPS KESWICK
SIR CHIPS' background is very much in the financial sector, having been director at Hambros Bank, DeBeers and the Bank of England.
He became director of Arsenal in 2005 before becoming chairman in 2013.
Little footballing expertise, Keswick, 77, may be in favour of keeping Wenger around.
IVAN GAZIDIS
ARGUABLY the board member with the most football knowledge, Gazidis could be the biggest problem for Wenger.
Gazidis, 52, has been the club's chief executive since 2009 after heading up the MLS.
He is the man with most face-time with Gunners supporters and therefore will be more than aware of the fans' feelings.
DAVID MILES
MILES, 62, is club secretary, often found watching on at European tournament draws.
Awarded a CBE in 2016, Miles' background is in economics and is a member of the Monetary Policy Committee.
Expected to stand by Wenger, although after a tough season it's difficult to tell.
KEN FRIAR
AT Arsenal for an incredible 70 years, Friar is the club's longest-serving director.
Friar, 82, started as a messenger at the club aged 12 before becoming club secretary and then managing director.
A driving force in Arsenal's move from Highbury to the Emirates, Friar reportedly respects Wenger for always keeping the team competitive.
LORD HARRIS OF PECKHAM
ADDED to the Arsenal board in 2005, Lord Harris made his money in carpets, taking over the family business aged 15 before founding Carpetright in 1988.
Always outspoken in his desire to win the Premier League again, Lord Harris, 74, is more than happy to see the club spend big.
However, he handed Wenger £100million back in 2014... which the Frenchman never spent.
