Sat 7th Nov - Molineux
By Peter Fraser Last updated: 8th September 2007
Dein: Wenger revelation
Former Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein has claimed Arsene Wenger came close to leaving the Gunners this summer.
Wenger ended speculation he was heading for the Emirates Stadium exit by putting pen-to-paper on a new contract which will keep him at Arsenal until 2011.
But Dein, who left Arsenal in April, has revealed the Frenchman's initial indecision in agreeing new terms.
"When I left his future was very much in the balance," Dein told Sky Sports News. "He said to me at the time that he wasn't sure if he wanted to stay on.
"We had a chat and I thought it was important that he should stay on for the future of the club.
"With the players that he is bringing through and his eye for talent, it was a major decision for him to stay.
"It was terribly important for the club that he should re-sign. I think he is essential. In fact he is more than that I think he is vital to the future of the football club."
Dein is now chairman of the company Red and White, which is co-owned by Alisher Usmanov.
The Russian billionaire recently bought out Dein's 14. 58 per cent share in Arsenal and it was thought a full takeover bid was planned.
However, Dein insists this is not the case although he does believe Arsenal will have to seek investment if they are to keep up with fellow Premier League clubs who have recently undergone a change in ownership.
"There is no takeover planned and it will remain at the status quo for the moment," Dein added.
"The question of future investment will remain to be seen what happens.
"I can see the landscape is changing and it will continue to change and in the fullness of time I think you will see that more investment will be needed."

Wolves 1-4 Arsenal - McCarthy
Wolves 1-4 Arsenal - Wenger
Arsenal 4-1 AZ Alkmaar
Wenger denies imminent takeover
Champions League round up - Nov 4th
Arsenal 4-1 AZ Alkmaar - Koeman
Arsenal 4-1 AZ Alkmaar - Wenger
Arsenal 4-1 AZ Alkmaar - Fabregas
| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Saturday 21st November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Sunderland vs Arsenal |
| Tuesday 24th November | |
| UEFA Champions League | |
| 19:45 | Arsenal vs Standard Liege |
| Sunday 29th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 16:00 | Arsenal vs Chelsea |
| Wednesday 2nd December | |
| Carling Cup | |
| 19:45 | Man City vs Arsenal |
| Saturday 5th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Arsenal vs Stoke |
| Wednesday 9th December | |
| UEFA Champions League | |
| 19:45 | Olympiacos vs Arsenal |
| Sunday 13th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 16:00 | Liverpool vs Arsenal |
| Wednesday 16th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 19:45 | Burnley vs Arsenal |
| Saturday 19th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 17:30 | Arsenal vs Hull |
| Sunday 27th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 13:30 | Arsenal vs Aston Villa |
| Wednesday 30th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 19:45 | Portsmouth vs Arsenal |
| Saturday 9th January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Arsenal vs Everton |
| Sunday 17th January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 16:00 | Bolton vs Arsenal |
| Wednesday 27th January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 19:45 | Aston Villa vs Arsenal |
| Sunday 31st January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 16:00 | Arsenal vs Man Utd |
| Saturday 6th February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Chelsea vs Arsenal |
| Tuesday 9th February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 19:45 | Arsenal vs Liverpool |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Saturday 7th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Wolverhampton 1 - 4 Arsenal | |
| Wednesday 4th November | |
| UEFA Champions League | |
| Arsenal 4 - 1 AZ | |
| Saturday 31st October | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Arsenal 3 - 0 Tottenham | |
| Wednesday 28th October | |
| Carling Cup | |
| Arsenal 2 - 1 Liverpool | |
| Sunday 25th October | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| West Ham 2 - 2 Arsenal | |
| Tuesday 20th October | |
| UEFA Champions League | |
| AZ 1 - 1 Arsenal | |
| Saturday 17th October | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Arsenal 3 - 1 Birmingham | |
| Sunday 4th October | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Arsenal 6 - 2 Blackburn | |
| Tuesday 29th September | |
| UEFA Champions League | |
| Arsenal 2 - 0 Olympiacos | |
| Saturday 26th September | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Fulham 0 - 1 Arsenal | |
| Tuesday 22nd September | |
| Carling Cup | |
| Arsenal 2 - 0 West Brom | |
| Saturday 19th September | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Arsenal 4 - 0 Wigan | |
| Wednesday 16th September | |
| UEFA Champions League | |
| Standard Liege 2 - 3 Arsenal | |
| Saturday 12th September | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Man City 4 - 2 Arsenal | |
| Saturday 29th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Man Utd 2 - 1 Arsenal | |
| Wednesday 26th August | |
| UEFA Champions League Qualifying | |
| Arsenal 3 - 1 Celtic | |
| Saturday 22nd August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Arsenal 4 - 1 Portsmouth | |
| Tuesday 18th August | |
| UEFA Champions League Qualifying | |
| Celtic 0 - 2 Arsenal | |
| Saturday 15th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Everton 1 - 6 Arsenal | |
| Saturday 8th August | |
| Friendly Match | |
| Valencia 2 - 0 Arsenal | |
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chelsea | 12 | 30 |
| 2 | Arsenal | 11 | 25 |
| 3 | Manchester United | 12 | 25 |
| 4 | Tottenham Hotspur | 12 | 22 |
| 5 | Aston Villa | 12 | 21 |
Sunderland fan Lucinda Gittins was strutting her stuff in the Soccer AM studios this week.
Pictures from Wednesday's action as Liverpool suffer last minute heartache and Arsenal win with ease.
Arsenal skipper Cesc Fabregas is refusing to get carried away by his side's free-scoring form.
Arsenal hot-shot Robin van Persie has revealed he rejected the 'dark side' of life as a teenager to become the player he is today.
Arsenal maintained their recent fine form on Saturday as they eased to a 4-1 victory over Wolves.
Arsene Wenger is hoping Arsenal can maintain their recent fine form for the remainder of the season.
Aston Villa and Tottenham made their Champions League aspirations clear as Arsenal also won but Man City were held by Burnley.