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Arsene Wenger looks like a man 'with unfinished business at Arsenal'

Arsene Wenger, Arsenal press conference ahead of FA Cup tie v Lincoln City
Image: Arsene Wenger was speaking ahead of Arsenal's FA Cup quarter-final with Lincoln City

Arsene Wenger's press conference was due to start at nine o'clock but the room was full by ten-to. That 10-2 hammering by Bayern Munich perhaps the reason why no-one risked being late.

Officially Wenger should have been answering questions about this weekend's FA Cup tie against Lincoln City.

Under normal circumstances such a potential giant-killing would provide plenty to discuss. But these are not normal circumstances.

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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger admits recent protests against him will influence his decision on whether to stay at the club next season

The agenda was not the romance of the cup, but the faltering love affair between Arsenal and Arsene.

At five past nine he arrived. No smile, no 'good morning'. He clearly noticed the room was full. There were more reporters than usual and more cameras too.

It was an easy question served up first: What's the team news, Arsene?

He revealed there may be a sickness bug in the camp. Mesut Ozil, Alex Iwobi and Danny Welbeck have all suffered but Wenger hopes the doctors can control it.

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What of the manager himself? He may have steered clear for now but he's still utterly sick of being asked about his future.

These gatherings have become a bit like a football match. Tactics are key.

How do you create an opening and hit the target before Arsene's defence comes up? Otherwise it's another stock reply, "I don't want to keep dealing with the same question."

A small group of Arsenal fans marched in protest against Arsene Wenger before kick-off against Bayern Munich
Image: A small group of Arsenal fans marched in protest against Arsene Wenger before kick-off against Bayern Munich

Fortunately, Tuesday night's pre-match protest offered a way in. Only one or two hundred joined the 'No New Contract' march to the Emirates, which was well below expectations.

So it was put to Arsene: Does that show the extent of the fans' discontent?

"I don't know," he replied. "It's difficult to judge. I have worked very hard for 20 years to make the fans happy. I understand they are not when we lose."

And then, a goal! A little bit of new information. He was asked if such protests will impact his decision on his future.

"Yes." He stopped and surveyed the room, clearly aware this was a revelation.

"Of course you consider everything. It won't be the most important factor, but I will consider it of course."

Image: Gary Cotterill was at the Arsene Wenger press conference for Sky Sports News HQ

There's no doubt some Arsenal fans have fallen out of love with Wenger but the Frenchman says it's not about love, even between his players.

When questioned on Theo Walcott's confirmation of disagreements within the squad, Wenger added: "In our job you have to be competitive, and that doesn't always mean love.

"Sometimes, in the past, it's not the team that loves each other the most that is the best on the football pitch."

Theo Walcott says the Arsenal players need to take the pressure off manager Arsene Wenger
Image: Theo Walcott says the Arsenal players need to take the pressure off manager Arsene Wenger

Wenger took all questions despite the mounting pressure. He always does. Some Premier League managers use an FA Cup weekend as a chance to wheel out their assistant but not Arsene. Criticism or not, he fronts up without fail.

He confirmed that not even he knows what next season holds. He hasn't made up his mind whether to sign an extension.

So he was asked: The suggestions you've told the players you are leaving are nonsense? "Yes," was his short but emphatic answer.

Wenger will consider fan opinion
Wenger will consider fan opinion

Arsene Wenger will consider fan opinion when deciding Arsenal future

And there was one other clue that, despite it all, Arsene just may be planning to stay. He is heavily involved in planning for the future of the team, helping to find and recruit the club's next academy chief.

By the time it was all over, he seemed content with his performance. He'd given just enough away.

On balance, he has the demeanour of a man with unfinished business. Arsene Wenger won't want to leave a loser.

Like Sir Alex Ferguson, he'd prefer to walk away after lifting one last big trophy, and that doesn't mean the FA Cup.

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