Wenger in no hurry to discuss deal

By foxsports
Published

Arsene Wenger will always be an "Arsenal man" but says he is in no hurry to open talks over a new contract.

Gunners chief executive Ivan Gazidis has indicated the club are ready to offer the long-serving Frenchman fresh terms before his current deal expires in 2014.

But the 62-year-old will not rush into discussing his future as he focuses on the team's performance.

Speaking at Thursday morning's press conference ahead of the Barclays Premier League game with Southampton, Wenger said: "I have two years to go. What is important for me is Southampton and I think I have shown my commitment to this club in the past.

"At the moment I am not in the mood to think about the long-term future. We want to do well this season, that's all."

He continued: "I am an Arsenal man. I think I have always shown that. I have to consider if I do well or not. If I don't do well, I have to consider my future.

"I have been at the club long enough to have confidence in the people I work with, but I will assess my own performances and then make a decision, at the moment we are not there.

"Two years is a long time in my job. I just want to do well for the club as long as I can and accept all the rest.

"I have to consider that at my age, you always have to assess if you have the fitness, the desire, the commitment that this job demands.

"Then of course you have to make your decisions. I hope I will be lucid enough and intelligent enough to assess my performance well."

Arsenal will resume their Premier League campaign looking to kick on from a 2-0 win at Liverpool - their third match unbeaten.

Midfielder Abou Diaby is rated as 50/50 after picking up a minor knee problem while on international duty with France, and may be rested ahead of next week's Champions League opener in Montpellier.

Wenger said: "Diaby is in a position where we can certainly play him. We just have to assess the risk to play him or not. That will be done (on Friday). We won't take a gamble on him, especially because of his history."

Goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny is fit again following a rib injury, but winger Theo Walcott will be assessed after missing England's game against Ukraine with a virus.