Wenger has board's backing

Boss under no extra pressure, and will have funds during summer

By James Dall   Last updated: 7th May 2008

Peter Hill Wood

Hill-Wood: Believes in Wenger

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Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood has laughed off claims that Arsene Wenger's job could be in jeopardy after a third consecutive season without silverware.

The Gunners failed to last the distance this term after their campaign was victim to a detrimental drop in form during its latter stages.

However, Wenger will continue to receive the board's full backing, with Hill-Wood confirming that the Frenchman is under no extra pressure to secure a trophy next campaign.

"He is not very happy we didn't win anything. He takes it very much to heart but he seems to have recovered," Hill-Wood said in The Daily Telegraph.

Laughable

"I don't feel depressed about it. Overall, it's not been a bad season. Other clubs would have been happy to be in our position.

"I was very happy with the way we played, but we are in the results business and I'm disappointed with the final result, I suppose.

"It's laughable to think he doesn't have the support of the board. We are very happy with him and I think he is with us. He knows where we are coming from.

"Clearly we want to win but can we survive when we don't win year in, year out? Yes, we can.

"We will start next season with the aim of winning something. If we don't, I will not be jumping off Tower Bridge. It's not easy winning the UEFA Champions League and the Premier League."

Hill-Wood also confirmed that Wenger, who is rumoured to be keen on signing a defender and a creative midfielder, will be strongly supported during the summer transfer window.

World-class players

"We have never denied Arsene Wenger a penny," Hill-Wood continued. "Whenever he has wanted to buy, he has.

"What he is not prepared to do is to buy a big name that everyone will be happy with until they see them play.

"He is a very good judge. He has brought in so many world-class players, some of whom people had not even heard of at the time, and I am sure he will continue that."