Ridiculous to base my future on one match - Wenger

Arsene Wenger said it would be "ridiculous" to
make a decision over his future based on the
outcome of one match following Saturday's FA Cup
final victory against Chelsea.
Speculation has been rife for much of the season
over whether Wenger will continue at Arsenal, with
his current contract due to expire at the end of
June.
The Frenchman has been the subject of criticism
from sections of the Arsenal support but he guided
the club to a seventh cup crown of his 21-year
tenure at Wembley.
His future is set to be resolved at a board meeting
next week.
Wenger told reporters: "I believe that it is a positive
trend but it would be a bit ridiculous that 20 years
depends on one game and that the future of the
club depends on one game. We will know more
next week.
"There is no perfect way [to leave]. I believe that I
just want to do well for his club. Apart from that I
think it is down to the board members [to decide]
am I the right man to take this club further and for
me to decide am I the right man to take this club
further.
"It's not about popularity, it's a bout competence.
You cannot make 35 years at the top level if you
believe you are not the right man to do the job."
An announcement regarding Wenger's future is
expected on Wednesday, though he was unable to
provide much insight as to what the meeting will
involve.
But he did reveal that he will keep
a winner's medal for the first time in his
managerial career, breaking the tradition of giving
them to members of his backroom staff.
He said: "I don't think I can answer that question at
the moment. For once I have kept my medal, so it
is a special night for me. We will see what happens
in the future.
"We are adults here. If I’m still here next season,
I’ll still be like this in the press conferences."
However, Wenger did accept that the uncertainty
surrounding his future has not helped Arsenal this
term.
He continued: "In recent performances we won
seven games out of eight and if you look that until
December we were 20 games unbeaten - more
than ever.
"This season has been hurt by a blip in March
and I am convinced now, looking back at this
season, by the uncertainty about my future with the
players."
The FA Cup triumph made Wenger the
competition's most successful manager, bringing
the season to a joyous close for the 67-year-old.
But the vitriol he has had to put up with from some
supporters is something he "cannot accept" and
has definitely left a sour taste.
"I feel I am in a public job, I accept to be criticised
and I accept that people don’t agree with me," he
added.
"But, once the game starts, as a fan you stand
behind the team. That is what I did not accept this
season and I will never accept it.
"Outside the game, I accept. I never had any word
with any journalist in 20 years when they criticise
my opinions and it is the same with the fans. I
understand that.
"But when the game starts you support your team.
We played some games in a hostile environment
and I cannot accept that."