Wenger rejects City link

Gunners boss confident Cesc will remain

Last updated: 5th March 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Wenger rejects City link

Wenger and Fabregas: Going nowhere

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Arsene Wenger has brushed aside reports linking him with the Manchester City job and suggestions Cesc Fabregas could leave Emirates Stadium.

There had been speculation that the Frenchman was a leading contender to replace Mark Hughes at Eastlands in the summer.

Gunners skipper Fabregas admitted that Wenger's presence was a major factor in his future and that he would consider his position if the experienced tactician ever moved on.

But Wenger, who has been at the helm of the North London outfit since September 1996, has no plans to leave his post and believes the Spain international will still be with Arsenal after he has eventually moved on.

Hope

"I hope his future will last longer than mine because I think he can still be here in 10 years," said Wenger.

"Cesc should be one of the bases of this club.

"I think the club should be built around personalities like Cesc and that is why I hope he will still be here.

"He is 22 years old in 2009 and at 32, he will still play."

Wenger has seen his position come under scrutiny in some quarters with the club out of the title race and battling with Aston Villa and Everton to secure the fourth UEFA Champions League berth.

The Gunners cut the gap on Villa to three points with their 3-1 success over West Brom in midweek while Martin O'Neill's men went down 2-0 at Manchester City.

Commitment

City have been the subject of intense media speculation ever since the Abu Dhabi United Group took control of the club in the summer, with a host of players and managers linked with the ambitious North West outfit.

Wenger added: "I have never allowed anyone to question my commitment to this club, in the good and in the bad times, that has not changed in my mind.

"They [Man City] have a very good manager in Mark Hughes. He is doing a good job. They have to keep confidence in him.

"On my side, I am contracted until 2011 and until 2011 I do not envisage to go anywhere else."