Arsene Wenger will stay at Arsenal

Arsene Wenger has been given a two-year contract extension by Arsenal.

The debate over Arsene Wenger’s future at Arsenal has been settled, for now. The French manager will return for his 21st season in charge at the Emirates, the longest tenure in the Premier League and in club history.

Wenger has been on the hot seat in recent weeks, with many fans calling for him to be sacked after Arsenal finished fifth in the Premier League and missed out on Champions League qualification. Many fans have made their opinion known, none too pleased with Wenger’s team this season or owner Stan Kroenke’s management.

He recently lashed out at the harsh criticism he’s received this year, calling the pressure “a disgrace.”

Arsenal fell outside of the top four for the first time in Wenger’s tenure, and will appear in the Europa League for the first time ever. Nonetheless, the club’s board of directors saw fit to give him a two-year extension on his contract, potentially keeping him at Arsenal through the 2018-19 season.

The Gunners did pick up a trophy this year, beating Chelsea last weekend to win their third FA Cup in four years. The win brings the club’s total up to 13, more than any other team in England.

Wenger has personally been in charge for seven of those FA Cups. He has also led Arsenal to three Premier League titles, most recently in 2003-04 when the “Invincibles” topped the league with an undefeated season. That year, Wenger became the first manager in over 100 years to coach a top-flight team to an unbeaten season.

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The Frenchman has been named Premier League Manager of the Year three times, and World Manager of the Year once in 1998. He has coached Arsenal in 1,175 games, winning 676.

Arsenal are apparently slated to make an official announcement on Wednesday.