Published: 30 May, 2014
By RICHARD OSLEY

WHETHER his decision to stay put hinged on lifting the FA Cup may never be known but Arsène Wenger has signed on the dotted line this afternoon to book three more years as Arsenal manager.

The club's longest serving manager is now contracted to the Emirates Stadium until May 2017. He answered his critics last season by winning the FA Cup, ending a nine year run without a trophy.

Wenger said: “I want to stay and to continue to develop the team and the club. We are entering a very exciting period. We have a strong squad, financial stability and huge support around the world. We are all determined to bring more success to this club." He added: “The club has always shown faith in me and I'm very grateful for that. We have gone through fantastic periods and also periods where we have had to stick together. Every time when that togetherness was tested I got the right response. I think I have shown some loyalty as well towards this club and hopefully we can make some more history. I am sure we can.”

Arsenal chairman Sir Chips Keswick said: “We are delighted that Arsène has renewed his contract for a further three years. He is a man of principle, who lives and breathes Arsenal."