Manager Arsene Wenger expects Jens Lehmann to "battle" it out with Manuel Almunia for the Arsenal goalkeeper's jersey next season.

Veteran German international Lehmann, 37, has agreed a one-year extension with the Gunners, ending speculation over his future at the Emirates Stadium.

Almunia, 29, has seen his first-team chances limited over the past two seasons to mainly in the cup competitions, with just one Barclays Premiership appearance.

However, Wenger indicated that could change.

The Arsenal manager said: "I see Jens as a top-glass goalkeeper and Almunia as a top-class goalkeeper, so it will be a battle at some stage because Almunia has improved tremendously.

"Manuel is going up and Jens thinks he is still going up!

"Jens is trying every day to make life difficult for those who compete with him. That is very good because it makes those who are competing with him improve as well.

"He is a 100% professional. He gives something to the team as well in the dressing-room if it is needed."

Wenger also revealed he hoped to soon have a decision on the future of forward Julio Baptista, who is currently on-loan from Real Madrid.

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WENGER EAGER TO DEVELOP YOUNG GUNNERS

Arsene Wenger remains fully focused on turning Arsenal's emerging squad into title contenders again next season.

The shock departure of vice-chairman David Dein, Wenger's closest ally on the board, led to speculation the Frenchman could be set to follow him out of Emirates Stadium.

However, Wenger, 57, fully intends to honour the remainder of his contract, which runs until the summer of 2008, with the club keen to extend that deal sooner rather than later.

The Arsenal manager, however, continues to "live on short-term", and is determined to get his squad back to the levels reached a few years ago when they were the dominant force of the English game.

Wenger said: "I want to develop this team because I feel there is a lot in there.

"I need one more year, and after one more year I can assess how far I can push this team.

"We have agreed to speak about it [future] the end of the season. At the moment I do not even think about that. I am too much in the competition.

"I have over one year to go and I want to finish work this season.

"I live on short-term. I have done it before."

Wenger added: "I feel it is important that I focus on how far I can go with this team and continue to respect the values I have tried to develop since I arrived here.

"And I will continue to develop next year."

Arsenal head into Sunday's game with relegation-battlers Fulham looking to cement another top-four finish in the Barclays Premiership.

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WENGER WARNING OVER NEW DIRECTOR

Arsene Wenger insists Arsenal's new director of football must hold true to the "values" of the club.

Following the shock departure of vice-chairman David Dein - who helped the Gunners boss in transfers over the past decade - there are set to be changes to the internal structure of the club.

Wenger revealed an appointment will "happen in the summer", but that the man coming in would have to meet strict criteria.

Former Monaco general manager Henri Biancheri, who worked with Wenger in France, has been linked with a role at Emirates Stadium.

However, the Gunners boss stressed: "He will be appointed by me, but it will not necessarily be a friend of mine.

"It will be somebody who will do the job well because if I go after one day the guy still has to work here.

"I am looking for somebody who has experience of negotiating a little bit, somebody I can leave alone because sometimes I cannot be there.

"It will have to be somebody who understands football and knows the football world as well and somebody who has the values and agrees with the values we want to hold at the club."

Arsenal host Fulham tomorrow boosted by the news that veteran goalkeeper Jens Lehmann has agreed a one-year extension to stay at the club.

And Wenger is hopeful he will soon have some concrete news on the future of forward Julio Baptista, who is coming to the end of his season-long loan deal from Real Madrid.

Wenger added: "I will meet his agents next week and Real Madrid a bit later.

"I can talk to the player. Whether he stays or goes, I still need to talk to the agent.

"If he stays, what price? If he goes, how do we do it?

"What can we do about it? You always need some service."

Jose Antonio Reyes went the other way as part of the deal during the closing hours of the August transfer window, but Wenger revealed that nothing has yet been ratified concerning where the winger will be playing next season.

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WENGER SALUTES OLD FOE FERGIE

Arsene Wenger has hailed rival Sir Alex Ferguson's march towards a second Treble while admitting Arsenal's "massively disappointing" season has been hampered by their move to a new stadium.

In an unusual show of magnanimity towards the Manchester United boss, with whom he has had many public disagreements in the past, Wenger has insisted that the Scot deserves to be named manager of the year.

But, despite Chelsea's bid for an unprecedented quadruple of trophies, the Gunners chief has ignored Blues counterpart Jose Mourinho, instead claiming Reading's Steve Coppell is Ferguson's nearest rival for the honour.

Asked who would get his vote, Wenger said: "I feel this year Sir Alex Ferguson, because he's in a position to fight on every front, and Steve Coppell, who is in a position where nobody expected him to be and he has a team who do not play negatively - they have a positive attitude everywhere they go."

After 10 trophy-laden years in north London, it is unusual for Wenger himself not to be considered one of the front-runners when end-of-season honours are being bestowed.

But with Arsenal lying fourth in the Barclays Premiership and out of the FA Cup and Champions League, their controversial final defeat to Chelsea in the Carling Cup will remain their strongest sniff of silverware this year.

The Gunners' frustrating inconsistency has been widely attributed to the youthful nature of their squad.

And Wenger admits moulding a winning team out of his inexperienced current crop is proving a massive task.

"It is the biggest challenge of my career because I am desperate to bring them as far as they can go and I feel there is a lot of potential in there," he told the League Managers' Association's website.

"I have to make them realise that a sports life passes quickly and that you have to quickly be mature.

"The second thing is not to lose the belief, because this year of course we didn't win anything, and come back next season with the great belief that they can do well."

He added: "To be a professional and a young player is to learn as well how to deal with disappointment.

"This year we had a massive disappointment, I feel overall, especially in going out of the Champions League the way we went out.

"But it's part of a growing process as well to handle this kind of disappointment and to still not let your disappointment stop your progression."

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BENDTNER CAN BE GREAT - LAURSEN

On-loan Birmingham striker Nicklas Bendtner is being tipped by his Denmark team-mate and Aston Villa defender Martin Laursen to be a star of the future - so long as he does not get carried away by his current success.

Bendtner is due to return to Arsenal at the end of the season after playing a major role in helping Birmingham to the top of the Coca-Cola Championship with just two games remaining.

He has also quickly made his mark with his country after breaking into the senior squad this season and last month scored the winner against Germany.

But the 19-year-old is not lacking in self-confidence and Laursen warned it is important he keeps his feet firmly on the ground.

Laursen said: "Nicklas is big and strong and quick and can become a very good player but it is always dangerous for a young player like him.

"He is only 19. I didn't have a contract when I was 19. He is already playing for Denmark and is at Arsenal.

"If he can keep his feet nicely on the ground, and work hard and take advice from the older players, then he can become a very good player.

"But it is always dangerous with the young players when they come through that they lose their head, think they are better than they are and don't have to learn anymore.

"They think 'I am here and that's enough. I am good'. He can be a great footballer if he can work hard and keep his feet on the ground."

Laursen believes Bendtner might find it more beneficial to go out on loan again next season if he is not going to figure prominently for the Gunners.

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BIANCHERI WANTS ARSENAL ROLE

Former Monaco general manager Henri Biancheri is ready to answer Arsene Wenger's SOS and become Arsenal's first ever director of football.

Manager Wenger this week revealed he is keen for the club to establish such a position in the wake of vice-chairman David Dein's shock departure.

Biancheri spent 19 years in a similar role at Monaco, helping Wenger sign Thierry Henry when the Gunners boss was manager of the French club.

Part of Dein's duties at Arsenal involved player recruitment, a responsibility Wenger does not want to take on himself.

"I am very good friends with Arsene and he knows what my value is," said Biancheri, who parted company with Monaco earlier this season.

"I am open to whatever propositions or proposals he may have," Biancheri told the Guardian.

The 74-year-old is credited with discovering Franck Ribery for Marseille and David Trezeguet and Philippe Christanval for Monaco.

Tottenham sporting director Damien Comolli, who also has a long-standing association with Wenger, yesterday insisted he has no interest in leaving White Hart Lane for the Emirates Stadium.

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CESC HOPES TO STAY WITH ARSENAL

Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas believes Arsene Wenger will remain Gunners boss despite recent unrest surrounding the club.

The Catalan youngster told Spanish media he is "very bound" to the French coach and plans to remain with Arsenal despite being unsure of his own future and interest from his homeland.

"One of the reasons why I am at Arsenal is Wenger. He (Wenger) has said that is going to fulfil his contract and I trust his word," Fabregas said.

"I would like to return to Spanish football, but before I must finish my time in England. Now, my plans are to stay in London.

"I am very happy here. I am enjoying playing football. We have not had good results but we have played well."

Asked about Real Madrid's reported interest, the former Barcelona trainee told Marca: "I don't know what is going to happen. I don't know if they (Arsenal) are going to sell me, but I am very happy here.

"I am very bound to the coach (Wenger) and I think that he will continue."

Wenger's future was brought into question last week when vice-chairman David Dein left the club amid reported takeover interest from American Stan Kroenke.

Arsenal's minority shareholders are likely to prove crucial to any potential takeover bid by Kroenke.

Speculation that the Gunners are set to be the next target for heavy investment from the United States has continued after Kroenke Sports Enterprises upped their stake to 12.19%.

The involvement of the American billionaire is understood to be the main reason behind the "irreconcilable differences" between Dein and the rest of the Arsenal board.

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GAEL READY TO BLOW DOWN COTTAGERS

Arsenal full-back Gael Clichy has told Fulham not to expect easy points in their fight against relegation when Lawrie Sanchez takes his side to the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners are virtually assured of a Champions League place next season but need a point on Sunday to make absolutely sure, while overtaking Liverpool in third would mean more prize money for the club.

They could have secured a top-four finish with a win against rivals Tottenham at the weekend but conceded an equaliser deep in injury-time when Jermaine Jenas struck.

"We were looking forward to getting the three points on Saturday so we could have been through to next season's Champions League," said Clichy.

"But now everyone needs to be focused for the next game against Fulham so we can qualify. We need to do that for ourselves and for our fans."

Clichy's determination may be bad news for Fulham, who are hovering three points above the bottom three and are without a win in their last eight Barclays Premiership games.

The 21-year-old Frenchman insists the Gunners will also be going full throttle in their final two games of the season, against Chelsea and Portsmouth, even if they seal a top-four place on Sunday.

He added on club website www.arsenal.com: "Most of the time when you think you have done it that is when the worst can happen.

"So we have to be concentrated. When you play for a big club like Arsenal you have to play until the end.

"Even if we qualify before the Chelsea and Portsmouth games then we have to keep going in them for us and for the fans."

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WENGER - THERE WILL BE CHANGES

Arsene Wenger admits there are likely to be changes behind the scenes at Arsenal this summer rather than to his squad.

Following the departure of David Dein as vice-chairman, Wenger has spoken of putting a director of football in place to work alongside.

"It will happen but at the moment I haven't made any calls," said the Frenchman.

A new man would assume Dein's negotiating duties - Wenger calls it "the ugly part" - in a structure that mirrors rivals Tottenham who have Damien Comolli in place.

However, Wenger is not expecting a busy summer of recruitment and is intending to rely on the players who were leading until the final seconds at White Hart Lane when Jermaine Jenas levelled.

They will also be bolstered by Thierry Henry, Robin van Persie and Theo Walcott returning from injury.

"We will not change the team, it will remain what it is at the moment and we get injured players back," said Wenger. "The needed quality is there. Sometimes it is intelligent not to try too much to improve."

A player linked with a move away from Arsenal was at the centre of attention when they conceded the opener to Spurs.

Jens Lehmann jostled with Dimitar Berbatov prior to a corner, with accusations of the German goalkeeper using an elbow.

"I spoke to the linesman at half-time and he said to me that Jens put the elbow in the face of the player," Wenger said. "If he has, he shouldn't have done it.

"Sometimes I feel he is not protected by referees at all on corners. They stand on his feet and don't see it, it hurts a lot and that happens to him a lot.

"Sometimes he over-reacts but overall I don't think he gets the same protection as some other keepers."

Lehmann, Berbatov and Abou Diaby were all punished with a yellow card at the time, making further sanctions by the Football Association problematic.

When Jenas eventually swung over the corner it was headed over the line by Robbie Keane.

The Gunners then pushed forward and hit the woodwork three times before Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Adebayor put them ahead.

Both goals came from free-kicks delivered by Cesc Fabregas, the imperious Spain midfielder who Wenger believes will get better when he bulks up.

"Defensively he can get much better," Wenger said. "Physically there is still an injection of power to come between 20 and 22. That comes in and you become a finished man."

Jenas, Fabregas' opposite number in the Spurs midfield, then fired home with seconds remaining to earn a point.

The 24-year-old is approaching double figures for goals this season and is looking to help Spurs qualify for Europe with a top-seven finish in the Premiership.

He feels that Spurs are closing the gap on Arsenal since he arrived from Newcastle towards the start of last season.

"We definitely feel that as a team we are getting closer," he said. "That's the progression we need to make for next season - we've got to all get together and say 'we've been good enough to get in these position now we've got to be good enough to do what the Uniteds, Arsenals and Chelseas do and that's kill off games'."

Spurs have not beaten Arsenal since 1999 but boss Martin Jol also feels the gap is closing, even though expectations at the rivals clubs may be different.

"Arsenal would like to achieve a bit more," the Dutchman said. "They are fourth in the league but they will be disappointed with that.

"They are still a bit better than us, because they are fourth in the league, but I'm sure next season that with all the talent they have, they will want to be champions."

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WENGER TO CHOOSE DEIN SUCCESSOR

Arsene Wenger claims he will choose the man to fill the void left by Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein.

Dein left the Emirates Stadium this week due to "irreconcilable differences" with the rest of the Gunners board.

He was instrumental in Wenger's appointment as manager just over 10 years ago and played a key role behind the scenes in terms of player acquistion.

Now Wenger has revealed those duties will be taken on by a new director of football, the first in the club's history.

"There will definitely be a director of football coming and it will definitely be my choice," Wenger said.

"That is something I will be looking at soon. At the moment I am doing both jobs - the one that David Dein used to do and my own.

"I was in a good position before because I would handle the football side and David would do the ugly stuff, the business.

"Now it's all down to me. It's difficult because that side of it is very time-consuming."

Meanwhile, it appears Dein will be forced to quit as chairman of G-14, the cartel of Europe's 18 biggest clubs.

Dein only took the role in October but his Arsenal exit has made his position virtually untenable, according to AC Milan sporting director Umberto Gandini.

"There is not a single chance that David can stay in his post unless all 18 clubs decide to change the statutes, which I think is unlikely," Gandini said in the News of the World.

"If he is no longer a representative of a club, he will have to resign."

Dein's Gunners departure could also lose him his place on the Football Association's international committee, which is responsible for the appointment of the England manager.

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WENGER KEEPS FOCUS ON DERBY

Arsenal's first test of their reaction to the fall-out of David Dein's enforced departure will come at the home of deadly rivals Tottenham.

The Gunners play at White Hart Lane on Saturday with the shock of Dein's sudden exit still reverberating.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has expressed his "huge disappointment" at Dein leaving, but now has to try to prevent the disruption off the pitch spilling over on to the field of play.

Wenger, who attended an Arsenal board meeting where he is understood to have asked the directors about their future plans, said: "It is a sad day for Arsenal Football Club.

"It is a huge disappointment because we worked very closely together. David has contributed highly to the success of the club in the last 10 years and even before that as well. Red and white are the colours of his heart."

Dein is thought to be considering a joint takeover bid with American billionaire Stan Kroenke.

Wenger insisted however he was on good terms with the other directors.

He said: "My position is that I am linked with the club very strongly. The relationship with the rest [of the board] has always been very good and we try always to have a good understanding."

The involvement of Kroenke was the reason behind Dein's split with the rest of the Arsenal board - he was in favour of the American taking on a major role at the club, while the other directors were against such a move.

Friends of Dein say he is taking time to consider his next move - he still owns 14% of the club - but the natural step would be to team up with Kroenke, who has an 11% shareholding.

In terms of the match, Cesc Fabregas is 50-50 after coming down with a virus while Freddie Ljungberg is also doubtful with a hamstring injury.

Wenger added: "Cesc has a little sickness. He will have a test to see how he feels. As it stand he is 50-50. We will not gamble on him. He is not injured but he has caught a virus.

"Freddie Ljungberg is a major doubt as well but we have not lost anybody else from Tuesday."

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HILL-WOOD HITS OUT AT KROENKE

Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood insists the club's board will resist any hostile American takeover "with all their might".

The Gunners are still reeling from vice-chairman David Dein's enforced departure from the club. Dein was understood to favour increased involvement for US billionaire Stan Kroenke, who already has an 11% stake in the club.

Hill-Wood and his fellow directors made an undertaking on Wednesday not to sell any shares in the club for at least a year in a bid to provide stability and ward off any possibility of a takeover.

Dein, who Hill-Wood claims is "in league" with Kroenke, is thought to be considering a joint takeover bid with the American but Hill-Wood is determined to block it and "keep Arsenal English".

He told the Daily Express: "I don't know for certain if Kroenke will mount a hostile takeover, but we shall resist it with all our might.

"I am not complacent at all, but we don't need his money and I'll tell you why. Everyone talks about our new stadium as a handicap to finance for new players, but the move to the Emirates is well-funded.

"Everyone thinks it has created a huge deficit but it hasn't as we have a massive asset on a 25-year fixed-rate loan."

Hill-Wood insists any takeover would not make a significant difference to the amount of money manager Arsene Wenger would have to spend.

"We are all being seduced that the Americans will ride into town with pots of cash for new players. It simply isn't the case," he added.

"He would have to spend a fortune to buy the club, he has already spent millions acquiring shares, so who thinks he is then going to spend fortunes on players?

"Take it from me, he won't be doing that after spending millions buying up shares."

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WENGER COY ON LONG-TERM FUTURE

Arsene Wenger has refused to look beyond the end of his Arsenal contract in response to reports he could be considering his future at the club following the shock departure of vice-chairman David Dein.

Dein brought Wenger to the club in September, 1996 and, in his first press conference since the loss of someone he called "a man of class and intelligence", Wenger stated: "I said I committed to the club and to the contract to 2008.

"I will try to give my best as long as I am here. I have one-and-a-half years [on my] contract - therefore I always feel we have the interest of our fans in mind.

"I will always give my best for the club and I am committed to do that."

He added: "I do not want to speak about beyond my contract because I think it is important to concentrate on the short term and to the end of the season."

Wenger, who insisted "at a big club you have to deal with all kinds of adversity", claimed Dein had "contributed hugely to the success of this club and I think English football".

He told a press conference televised live by Sky Sports News: "It is a disappointment and a big loss. David always at heart had the best interest of the club.

"Even if I am very sad it is important to keep the best interest of the club in mind.

"We have many young players and I want to develop this team and go as high up as we can.

"I don't want speculation; you could talk about the consequences a lot."


Wenger admitted he was "confident" the Arsenal board were listening to him following Dein's departure.

"Yes, I am confident. The history of this club makes me think they have trusted David and myself to make decisions on important issues. We had a great partnership but now we have to focus on tomorrow."

Asked if he had turned his thoughts towards a new football director coming in, the Frenchman added: "I have to think about that problem and what is the best solution. I will need some help but I do not really know at the moment.

"It is important the stability is maintained and it will be."


The involvement of billionaire Stan Kroenke is understood to be the reason behind Dein's split with the rest of the Arsenal board - he was in favour of the American taking on a major role at the club, while the other directors were against such a move.

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WENGER WANTS TO BUILD ARSENAL

Arsene Wenger maintains it's his responsibility not to "destroy" all the hard work of the past decade put in by himself and former vice-chairman David Dein at Arsenal.

After the shock departure of his strongest ally from the board earlier this week, it was suggested the French coach was about to follow Dein out of Emirates Stadium in the summer.

However, Wenger - who still has 15 months left on his current deal - insisted he remained ever committed to the Arsenal cause and keeping the club "stable".

He said: "I have a responsibility towards the club and the fans, and I want to stand up for that.

"For me to destroy the work we have done together now would be stupid.

"The last person who would want to do that is David, because he acted always in the interests of Arsenal Football Club.

"The interests of Arsenal Football Club are to continue to be stable, to develop and go on.

"In the short-term, I feel we can deal with that situation.

"In the longer-term, David will have to be replaced."

The involvement of billionaire Stan Kroenke is understood to be the reason behind Dein's split with the rest of the Arsenal board - he was in favour of the American taking on a major role at the club, while the other directors were against such a move.

The former Football Association vice-chairman still holds around 14% of shares in the parent company of the Gunners, estimated to be worth approximately ฃ60million.

Dein is thought to be considering a joint takeover bid with the KSE group, which recently upped their stake to just over 12% in the club.

Whatever the future holds, Wenger feels Arsenal have "lost a man of class, intelligence and competence who has contributed highly to the success and the development of the club and brought English football into the modern era".

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WENGER UNDERSTANDS FAN REACTION

Arsene Wenger can understand the frustrations of Arsenal's fans when things do not go all their own way.

The Gunners moved up, temporarily at least, into third place in the Barclays Premiership following a 3-1 win over Manchester City at Emirates Stadium on Tuesday.

Despite sweeping into the lead through Tomas Rosicky after just 12 minutes, Arsenal were frustrated for long spells by a determined City side who levelled before the break through DaMarcus Beasley.

Inspired by a brilliant 25-yard strike from Cesc Fabregas, Wenger's men finally got back in control and wrapped up the three points when Julio Baptista netted with 10 minutes left.

However, there were spells during the match when sections of the home faithful got on the back of the team.

Wenger fully understands. The Arsenal manager said: "The crowd does not irritate me, no.

"With a professional player you have to deal with that.

"People coming here pay good money and sometimes they let their frustration out.

"People are impatient. They want to win. When we do not win as quickly as they want, they get frustrated.

"It is down to us to transport them to a different world."

City boss Stuart Pearce believes the constant demand for success can prove a double-edged sword.

He said: "That is the nature of the Premiership now.

"I do not think there is a team this year that has not been booed at home at some stage. Probably Manchester United and Chelsea might be the exception, but the rest of us have all experienced it where they do not know when the next win is coming.

"Sometimes there is a bigger picture, but people pay good money."

Pearce quipped: "The next time I go to the theatre I am going to let some thespians have it. It might make me feel better and then I will claim I pay their wages when I leave."

Fabregas doubled his tally of league goals with a fine volley to cap a memorable few days for the 19-year-old, who also netted against Bolton on Saturday and was nominated for both the PFA Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year awards.

Wednesday's victory also all but secures Arsenal's place in the Champions League again next season - a fitting stage for the young midfielder to continue to display his talents.

"There is more to come from him," declared Wenger, who has used Fabregas no fewer than 50 times this season.

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GILBERTO LAYS IT ON LINE

Arsenal captain Gilberto has called on his team-mates "not to relax for one minute" when they head to arch-rivals Tottenham looking to secure a top-four finish in the Barclays Premiership.

The Gunners beat Manchester City 3-1 at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night to open up an eight-point gap on the chasing pack and take them, temporarily at least, above Liverpool into third.

After the trip to White Hart Lane on Saturday, there are two home games - against Fulham and title-chasing Chelsea - to come before the final match at Portsmouth.

The clash with City on Tuesday night had an end-of-season feel about it as both teams appeared to go through the motions at times.

Gilberto, though, knows there will be no such luxury afforded Arsenal in the 155th north London derby.

"I played there when we won the league in 2004 - and although many of the players have now left, the traditions of the match are still the same," said Gilberto, standing in for the injured Thierry Henry.

"We will need to keep our minds strong because this is the kind of game where you do not have time to relax for one minute.

"We know in the matches against Tottenham if we do not play at 100% then it will be difficult.

"It is important to keep our concentration high over all of the final four games."

Gilberto added: "Against City, it looked a bit strange. After our first goal, we relaxed a little bit.

"Sometimes we can play very nice football and draw or lose. Against City, we did not play our best, but got three points.

"We have been in transition and it has been so hard for us, there have been some bad times this year.

"But I really believe that for next season the young players in the squad will have grown in confidence and experience.

"They will be stronger than we have been in the last two years."

One young man key to Arsenal's future success is midfielder Cesc Fabregas.

The 19-year-old crashed in a stunning effort to spark a second-half revival last night - doubling his Premiership tally for the season having finally got off the mark against Bolton.

"I have not really played with a young player as good as he is," said Gilberto of the Spaniard, who is nominated for both the PFA Player of the Year awards this weekend.

"Ever since he came into the starting XI, he has done so well.

"He has a great quality in his passing and vision and now he is scoring goals as well.

"I have played alongside Patrick Vieira, who was a great player and one who was very experienced. Cesc has done so well to replace him.

"He has a lot of talent and although it takes time, he can be one of the best."

The future of goalkeeper Jens Lehmann, 37, who was guilty of a mistake which led to City's equaliser on Tuesday night, is expected to be resolved imminently.

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ARSENAL MYSTERY AS DEIN QUITS

The long-term future of Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was tonight left uncertain following the shock departure of his biggest ally vice-chairman David Dein because of "irreconcilable differences" with the rest of the current board.

Dein, 63, has left the club and will cease to be a director with immediate effect.

However, the former Football Association vice-chairman holds around 14% of shares in the parent company of the Gunners, estimated to be worth around ฃ57million.

A statement from Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood read: "On behalf of the board I would like to express our gratitude to David Dein for the many years of loyal service he has given to the club.

"We sincerely regret that irreconcilable differences between Mr Dein and the rest of the board have necessitated a parting of the ways."

Those differences are understood to be over the direction and ownership of the club, with Dein known to be very much in favour of the involvement of American billionaire Stan Kroenke, which put him at odds with Arsenal director Danny Fiszman and also Hill-Wood.

Speculation continues surrounding a potential takeover from American-based Kroenke Sports Enterprises, who recently bought just over an 11% stake in the club - which included a small holding purchased indirectly off Fiszman, who maintained he was unaware of the buyer.

Hill-Wood, however, maintained the board would be "horrified" to see complete ownership move across the Atlantic.

Should the KSE group - which has interests in several successful sports US clubs - obtain a 30% threshold in Arsenal, then under the Stock Exchange rules, the American tycoon would be able to launch a takeover bid of the Barclays Premiership outfit.

However, the statement from Arsenal continued: "In light of recent speculation with regards to the ownership of the club, the remaining board members, who together own 45.45% of the issued share capital of the company, would like to reassure the supporters, shareholders and employees of Arsenal Football Club that they remain long-term holders of their interests in the club.

"To this effect, they have entered into an agreement not to dispose of their shares for at least one year and have confirmed that they intend to retain their interests on the expiration of this period."

Dein - currently the chairman of the G-14 group of elite European clubs - was behind the appointment of the then little known French coach Wenger to the manager's job in 1996.

The pair remain close friends, with the Gunners having enjoyed unprecedented success in the last decade with three Premier League titles and four FA Cup wins.

Arsenal reached the Champions League final last season, losing to Barcelona in Paris, but have struggled to sustain such success this term.

A run to the Carling Cup final was followed by an early exit from both the FA Cup and then Champions League.

However, successive wins this week have put the Gunners back on track to finish in the top four again and with it secure elite level European football at the ฃ357million Emirates Stadium - crucial to the continued financial stability of the club.

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HENRY SUPPORT FOR SCHOLES CASE

Thierry Henry knows a thing or two about what it takes to earn the respect of your fellow pros to be crowned PFA Player of the Year - and reckons Paul Scholes has the game to top everyone this season.

The Arsenal captain was the winner of the prestigious accolade in both 2003 and 2004.

Manchester United midfielder Scholes, 32, is on the six-man shortlist along with Henry's team-mate Cesc Fabregas, Chelsea striker Didier Drogba, Christiano Ronaldo, Ryan Giggs and last year's winner Steven Gerrard.

United winger Ronaldo, 22, is the bookmakers favourite and, like Fabregas, is also nominated for the PFA's young player award.

For Henry, however, it is the contribution former England international Scholes has made following his return to fitness with the Barclays Premiership leaders after a long lay off because of blurred vision which stands him out this season.

"Good luck to Cesc, but obviously I am not allowed to vote for a team-mate, my vote went to Paul Scholes," said the Arsenal captain.

"You saw how much Manchester United missed him last season, and you have seen what a difference he has made when he has come back this year."

Henry - currently sidelined himself through injury - has, though, been impressed by the form of Ronaldo.

He added: "If Cristiano Ronaldo does not win the main award, I think he should take the young player award.

"All he was missing was goals and assists - but he has added that this year so I would be very surprised if he does not win it."

Fabregas helped Arsenal secure a 3-1 win over Manchester City last night to stay on course for Champions League qualification again.

It was his second Premiership goal in the space of four days - which doubled his tally for the whole campaign.

Henry said: "Cesc has had a fantastic season, and although he had not scored in the league before the Bolton game, he had been involved in so many goals for us.

"But for him, it was playing on his mind. Going one month or two without scoring starts to play on your mind - but eight months? It must have been on his shoulders."

Manchester United and England striker Wayne Rooney, a two-time PFA winner, is also nominated again in the young player category.

Reading striker Kevin Doyle, 23, Tottenham winger Aaron Lennon, 19, and 18-year-old defender Micah Richards, of Manchester City, complete the shortlist.

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UNITED TRIO TOP AWARDS SHORTLIST

Barclays Premiership leaders Manchester United dominate the nominations for the Professional Footballers' Association Player of the Year award, with man of the moment Cristiano Ronaldo, Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes all making the six-man shortlist.

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba, Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas and Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, the 2006 winner, complete the contenders for the prestigious award, which will be presented on April 22.

Portuguese winger Ronaldo, 22, and Fabregas, 19, are also in the hunt for the PFA's Young Player of the Year award.

Manchester United and England forward Wayne Rooney, 21, will be looking for a hat-trick, having won the accolade in both 2005 and 2006.

Reading striker Kevin Doyle, 23, Tottenham winger Aaron Lennon, 19, and 18-year-old defender Micah Richards, of Manchester City, who won his first England caps this season, are the other nominees.

Ronaldo will have come full circle if he is crowned at a gala dinner in London on Sunday night.

The brilliant 22-year-old Portugal winger has been in stunning form for Manchester United this season, and was rewarded with a new, five-year contract to finally quash rumours of a multi-million pound move to Spain.

Ronaldo, however, had faced an uncertain future following the adverse publicity he received for his part in England's World Cup demise during the summer.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson spoke to the midfielder personally about the situation, and has since praised the talented young man for having "the nerve to handle it", letting his superb football do the talking and drown out the jeers in what has become a potent attacking partnership with, ironically, England striker Wayne Rooney.

Ronaldo took his goals tally to 21 following a strike in the FA Cup semi-final win over Watford and last week's double in the Champions League rout of AS Roma at Old Trafford.

And on current form, there seems little anyone can do to stop him.

PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor hailed Ronaldo as "the "most exciting player in the country".

He said: "This season was a big test for him, both of his temperament and his ability to rise above the abuse he received after the incident with Wayne Rooney at the World Cup - and he has passed with flying colours in every department.

"I was not sure after the World Cup if things would get back to normal at Old Trafford, but Cristiano has shown great maturity and proved himself to be a top, top player.

"All credit to Sir Alex Ferguson for resolving what was a difficult situation. All credit to Cristiano too because he has developed from a player who perhaps used to run down too many closed avenues in his early days at United, to a wonderful entertainer whose tricks and skills are much more constructive, and productive, these days.

"He is much more of a team player now and, as is the test of all great forwards, he knows how to find the back of the net.

"He has still got all the tricks and, if he was to perform them on the stage at the London Palladium, you would have to stand up and applaud.

"For him to be able to perform them on a football field, at full speed with everything going on around him, makes it all the more remarkable and it is great that Sir Alex continues to encourage him to do so, whereas at some clubs he might have been told to 'keep it simple'."

Rooney, 21, will be looking for a hat-trick of Young Player awards, having won the accolade in both 2005 and 2006.

Taylor said: "Wayne is willing to have a go in whatever position he is asked to play, and will come through.

"Because he is such an awesome talent it is not automatic that he will play well in every game, and it is wrong for people to expect him to score hat-tricks every time. Football does not work like that.

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PEARCE HAS DOUBT OVER MPENZA

Emile Mpenza is manager Stuart Pearce's main fitness concern ahead of Manchester City's Barclays Premiership trip to Arsenal on Tuesday night.

The Belgian striker, who looks set to earn a permanent deal to stay with the Eastlands outfit, suffered a bang on the hip in Saturday's goalless draw with Liverpool, although Pearce will give Mpenza every chance to play.

Having beaten the Gunners on home soil already this term, City are aiming to complete their first domestic double over Arsenal in 31 years.

Arsenal will be without Freddie Ljungberg for the visit of Pearce's side.

The Sweden midfielder injured his hamstring against Bolton on Saturday, so either Julio Baptista or Abou Diaby are likely to come into the starting XI, depending on the formation.

Captain Thierry Henry (groin and stomach), Robin van Persie (broken foot) and Theo Walcott (shoulder) are all sidelined.

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FABREGAS STILL ON LEARNING CURVE

Arsenal captain Gilberto believes PFA players' player of the year candidate Cesc Fabregas can go on to become an all-time great - if he continues to learn from those around him.

The 19-year-old Spain midfielder has been shortlisted for both the main accolade and also the PFA young player award, which will be announced following a gala dinner in London on Sunday night.

Fabregas has been a consistent performer in a disappointing season for the Gunners, who reached the Carling Cup final, but then crashed out of the FA Cup and Champions League.

Having played some part in each of Arsenal's 33 Barclays Premiership matches this season, Fabregas finally got himself on the scoresheet to seal the 2-1 win over Bolton on Saturday.

Brazilian Gilberto, 30, has been alongside the youngster for most of the campaign and believes Fabregas has the attributes to take his game to another level through more hard work.

"Cesc can be one of the best in his position. It is just down to him to continue the way he is playing and try to learn more," said Gilberto, who is set to skipper the side again tomorrow against Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium.

"Sometimes you need to play more with your brain than with your power, to read the game all of the time.

"But if he can learn that, quickly, then he can be one of the best."

The Brazilian, who won the World Cup in 2002, added: "I speak to him, especially on the pitch when we play together.

"I try to position him in the right place. When you are young, you want to run more than position yourself in the right place.

"Cesc is learning. He is young, it takes time. Next season he can develop himself more than he has done."

Fabregas is not the only Arsenal youngster to have earned themselves an extended run in the first team.

Manager Arsene Wenger remains convinced this squad have the potential to again challenge for the Premiership crown and further European glory.

It has, however, been a steep learning curve for his young Gunners.

Gilberto said: "For the past two seasons a lot of young players have come through, and they need time to grow in themselves, to develop.

"However, when you play for a big team like Arsenal, you do not have time - especially if you are the first option of the manager. But they have done very well.

"What we expect next season is that they will be stronger and they will get a lot more experience from the painful time we are having together."

Arsenal's victory over Bolton tightened their grip on fourth place in the Premiership following a four-match winless run.

With a five-point gap on the sides below them, beating City should all but secure another crack at elite level European club football again next season.

However, Gilberto - stand-in captain for injured Thierry Henry - knows the team must remain focused, having gone behind to Bolton, an all-too-familiar story at the Emirates.

He said: "Sometimes you need to relax in front of goal. We have to keep going because we have another important game now against Manchester City."

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WENGER HAILS STRONG GUNNERS

Arsene Wenger praised the "mental strength" of his Arsenal side as they returned to winning ways following a 2-1 victory over Bolton.

The Gunners had to once again come from behind at Emirates Stadium, after Nicolas Anelka had netted against his old club.

Tomas Rosicky levelled and Cesc Fabregas struck just 44 seconds after the restart to turn the match in the home side's favour.

With their lead over the Trotters now up to five points and holding a match in hand - at home to Manchester City on Tuesday night - a return to top-level European club football next season looks more secure.

Wenger said: "It is a big step. To lose the game today would have put us in a bad situation.

"I feel I am happy with the performance of the team and happy with the mental strength we have shown because we were 1-0 down and we come back to win.

"I got a quick response and we got chance after chance and in fairness we outplayed Bolton through the pace of our passing.

"But overall, scoring 2-1 in the second half, we had a handbrake on our finishing after that and that is maybe why we did not score three or four."

It has been a difficult couple of months for Arsenal, who lost the Carling Cup final to Chelsea and then crashed out of both the FA Cup and Champions League.

Captain Thierry Henry, fellow marksmen Robin van Persie and Theo Walcott are all out injured, adding to Wenger's problems, his side having failed to won for the previous four games.

"With a team you live in a tunnel and sometimes you have to experience going down and flirting with Hell to see how much you can deal with that to become stronger," Wenger said.

"We had a disappointing three or four weeks and I am very well with how the team has responded.

"I respect the way they have behaved in the last three weeks, even if they were most painful three weeks of the season."

Bolton had Ivan Campo was sent off late on for two yellow cards - and could have been awarded a penalty when the ball bounced up to Emmanuel Eboue's arm, but referee Rob Styles waved away the appeals.

Manager Sam Allardyce lamented the way his side lost their grip on the game.

He said: "We just conceded too much ground and stopped playing for some strange reason.

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FOURTH IS LEAST WE CAN DO - WENGER

Arsene Wenger fully expects Arsenal to meet their "minimum requirement" of finishing fourth in the Premiership by holding off the challenge of Champions League pretenders Bolton.

The Gunners have seen their campaign unravel over the last two months following defeat in the Carling Cup final and an early exit from both the FA Cup and Europe.

Although they still have a match in hand, the lead over fifth place is now just two points.

Wenger, however, is not considering anything other than qualification for the elite club competition once again.

"It is the minimum target we want to reach at the start of every season, and it will be like that every year," said the Arsenal manager ahead of Saturday's visit of Bolton.

"It is the minimum target because you want to win every trophy you play for.

"You want to be in the Champions League again and to win it next year you have to be in.

"We want to be there and nobody else so I do not worry about what will happen if they get in.

"In England, you have the potential of 10 massive clubs and they will not always be asleep.

"To smash in and compete in the top four, you will now have Aston Villa, Newcastle, Tottenham. They are all big clubs with the same potential as Arsenal.

"Bolton? I do not know whether they have the same potential fans as, say, Newcastle.

"If Newcastle have a good team, they would get 60,000 people every week."

While the UEFA Cup would again be an achievement in itself for Bolton - who were not so long ago playing at Burnden Park and scraping around the lower leagues - it would be a massive blow were the Gunners to fail to reach the Champions League for the first time in a decade.

Their new 60,000-seater Emirates Stadium is certainly a venue befitting top-flight European football and all the extra income that brings.

Wenger, though, is focused on the here and now, rather than what may or may not happen down the line.

He added: "You can always adapt the revenue, the most important thing is that you have a good team and that you achieve what you want to achieve.

"We have never gone bust, we always adjust to what we face.

"At the moment I focus on tomorrow's game and the consequence of if, if, if - that does not work.

"You focus on doing well tomorrow. Why worry about after tomorrow?"

The Trotters have proved stubborn opponents for Arsenal in recent seasons.

Wenger's men were beaten 3-1 at the Reebok in November but won their FA Cup replay at the same venue by the same score in February.

"It is a big game against a direct rival," Wenger added.

"They have good players, good strikers and a direct style which they will use.

"We play at home, we know we can beat them and just focus on playing well."

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TAKEOVER TALK WON'T AFFECT US - WENGER

Arsene Wenger insists it is business as usual at Arsenal despite continued speculation surrounding a potential takeover by American billionaire Stan Kroenke.

US-based Kroenke Sports Enterprise have a total stake of just over 11% in the Premiership club following purchases from ITV and, indirectly, director Danny Fiszman.

KSE - who also have interests in the likes of American football franchise St Louis Rams, NBA side Denver Nuggets and the NHL's Colorado Avalanche - already had an "innovative strategic relationship" with the Gunners via their Major League Soccer club Colorado Rapids.

Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein owns 13% of the club and has never indicated he would wish to sell up.

However, with his holding now reduced to 24.11%, if Geneva-based tax exile Fiszman chose to sell his entire stock to KSE that would take them well over the 30% threshold needed to launch a formal takeover bid for the club.

Earlier this week chairman Peter Hill-Wood admitted the board were "in the dark" over what Kroenke may have planed for Arsenal.

Wenger, though, remains pragmatic about the whole situation.

He said: "The chairman has said two things; one is he does not really know the intentions of this guy and two is that he is determined to keep the club under control with the board he has.

"That means 10% of shares have moved from one pocket to another, but that does not change the life inside the club nor would it affect the area where decisions are taken."

Wenger, meanwhile, revealed it would not be long before an announcement was made on both the futures of on-loan forward Julio Baptista and goalkeeper Jens Lehmann, who is out of contract this summer.

He added: "There is nothing decided with Baptista. I will make a decision on that at the end of April.

"The fact that he has not scored recently is down to the team's overall disappointment and that we are a little bit low, less spontaneous in our offensive game and therefore you will suffer in your offensive game."

The club are thought to be only offering a further 12-month contract to veteran German international Lehmann, 37.

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WE CAN CLAIM FOURTH - WENGER

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger backed his players to complete their Champions League mission despite being held to a goalless draw at Newcastle.

The Gunners started the day two points clear of Bolton in fourth place and ended it in exactly the same position after Sam Allardyce's side drew 1-1 with Everton.

Asked if he felt his side - they play Bolton next weekend - would hang on to their place in the top four, Wenger replied: "I feel yes because they (Bolton) had a good opportunity today to come back to us and they played a 1-1 draw against Everton.

"That keeps them a fair distance. It is down to how we do.

"For the club, it is very important, for the players, for everybody inside the club and everybody who loves the club.

"We are used to being there and we want to do it again."

Arsenal might have eased further ahead of their closest challengers had Nolberto Solano not produced a superb double goal-line clearance.

However, James Milner had earlier hit Jens Lehmann's crossbar and the Magpies had strong appeals for a penalty waved away by referee Howard Webb in a late flurry of activity.

But Wenger left the north-east reasonably happy with his lot after seeing his players end a run of three successive Barclays Premiership defeats.

He said: "We wanted to win the game and we could have maybe nicked a 1-0, but they saved one on the line and they could have scored as well at the end.

"Both teams had good defensive performances and it was a game of few chances.

"For us after three defeats, it was important not to lose, and maybe it could be a good point at the end of the season."

However, opposite number Glenn Roeder was furious that Webb had not presented his side with a chance to win the game in injury time when Abou Diaby appeared to wrestle Oguchi Onyewu off the ball from a Milner free-kick despite delaying the set-piece to warn him about his manhandling of the defender.

He said: "Did I think we might have had a penalty? That is the understatement of the year. Shirts get changed at the end of the game, don't they, not during the game?

"Howard Webb is a fine referee, but I saw him do that recently in a Championship game at Leicester.

"It is a rugby tackle and you cannot do that in football, it is not allowed.

"It just needs bravery and courage to blow the whistle and point to the spot and unfortunately, he pulled up short.

"He did that to us earlier this year at Bolton when Peter Ramage was clearly pushed in the back for Bolton's equaliser, and he apologised the next time I saw him.

"He is a fine referee, though, generally, but he will be disappointed in himself when he sees it."

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LEHMANN TALKS PLANNED SOON

Jens Lehmann knows his future at Arsenal will soon be sorted out.

The Germany international goalkeeper turns 38 during November and is in the final months of his contract with the Gunners.

The Barclays Premiership club are understood to be standing firm on their policy of offering only 12-month extensions to senior players but Lehmann wants the security of a two-year deal.

There has been interest from teams overseas for Lehmann, who kept a record number of clean sheets en route to the Champions League final last season.

Lehmann would, though, be happy to continue his stay at Arsenal should an amicable agreement be reached in negotiations with manager Arsene Wenger and club officials.

"We will talk soon, in the next week or two," said Lehmann.

"I am not frustrated, it is business.

"I have always said I would like to play at Arsenal because I think I am certainly aware the team has potential.

"I can decide to be a part [next season]. It is my decision and I have to make the decision.

"I am on a one-year contract right now, why should I really be disappointed about another year?

"It is not about one year. If I should go somewhere else, then I would go for two years, but here it is only one year.

"It is always my decision. I can stay, of course I can stay, but I have to talk before. It is a tough decision I have to make."

Lehmann watched opposite number Robert Green produce the "game of his life" as West Ham secured a 1-0 win at Emirates Stadium yesterday - a first defeat for the Gunners at their new 60,000-seater home.

Arsenal head to Newcastle tomorrow where they will be looking to make the most of any chances which come their way - unlike against the Hammers where chance after chance went begging.

Lehmann said: "You have to cope with it and can not feel sorry for yourself.

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WENGER: GUNNERS MUST START FIRING

Arsene Wenger admits the need for Arsenal to get their bid for a top-four finish in the Barclays Premiership back on track has now become "urgent".

The Gunners suffered a third straight league defeat on Saturday when relegation battlers West Ham became the first away team to win at the Emirates Stadium.

It was an all-too-familiar story as Wenger's men created chance after chance, but could not find the back of the net and were then made to pay as Bobby Zamora struck in first-half stoppage time.

Despite still having a match in hand on the sides around them, fourth-placed Arsenal are now only two points ahead of Bolton, who visit the Emirates next weekend.

Wenger knows there is now little margin for further error in their remaining games, which continue up at Newcastle on Monday.

"Routine in football does not exist. It is just always the consequence of the quality of your performances," said Wenger, on the expectancy of Champions League football again next season.

"Of course we feel we will do it and I am convinced we will. The situation becomes very urgent."

Wenger added: "Now we just think about regrouping, and not feel sorry too much and not be down too much because in two days we have a big game again.

"It is very hard, but the team is going through a patch where if we deal well with that situation we grow old very quickly.

"That is why it is very important that we do not let ourselves down and be too negative - there were a lot of positives and now let us show that again at Newcastle."

Given the way they raced out of the blocks, Arsenal should have been out of sight by the time Zamora lobbed in what proved to be the winning goal.

West Ham goalkeeper Robert Green was a busy man, denying Cesc Fabregas inside 90 seconds and then keeping out efforts from Freddie Ljungberg and Tomas Rosicky, which really should have been put away.

When the England stopper was finally beaten midway through the second half, Fabregas saw his 18-yard strike come back of the underside of the crossbar.

Wenger accepted his squad - without injured captain Thierry Henry and marksman Robin van Persie - had lacked a cutting edge.

"We know it can happen - but the way we lost it is very difficult to accept," said the Arsenal manager.

"It shows that in football, you need everything.

"It is good to have a good game, it is a good basis - but at the end of the day as well you need to have all the qualities that make a strong team, that is all part of a quality team."

Gilberto returned to skipper the side on Saturday having missed the 4-1 thrashing at Anfield last weekend through injury.

The Brazilian was guilty of missing two great chances in the second half, heading wide from six yards and then shaving the post with a low, angled drive.

"This season has been quite frustrating for us," said the World Cup winner.

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CROUCH TREBLE PUTS RAFA ON SPOT

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has a dilemma ahead of next week's Champions League clash with PSV Eindhoven following a hat-trick by Peter Crouch in the 4-1 Premiership demolition of Arsenal.

Crouch's goals - on his return from an operation on a broken nose - took his tally to the season to 16.

Now Benitez must decide whether to play the England striker next Tuesday.

"We have a very important Champions League game and I have a good selection problem after what Peter has done," he said.

"But the tactics [today] were chosen specifically to play against Arsenal. They may well be very different in Eindhoven, we will have to wait and see."

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger insisted Liverpool were "very, very big favourites" to reach the Champions League semi-finals.

He said: "Defensively our performance was horrendous. The difference was Crouch, we just did not handle him at all.

"He was the big difference. We could not cope with him in the air and his three goals all came from crosses from wide areas. He made fine runs and we never got close enough to him, and with Steven Gerrard also finding gaps between our defenders, Liverpool more than deserved to win.

"They were more mobile, sharper and determined. If we want to finish third now we will have to produce better performances than that between now and the end of the season."

Wenger's own concerns are whether his misfiring side can stay in the top four and clinch a Champions League spot.

He said: "We are not certain of being in the top four. There is not a big enough gap even if maybe my players felt they had done enough.

"That is not the case. We will have to give our best in every game now, we must win all our home matches and pick up some away wins, too."

The Frenchman added: "My players are now concerned about the situation. They did not produce what was expected."

That cannot be the case for Benitez. Crouch scored on the near post early on and then sent in a thumping header before the break.

Daniel Agger saw a glancing header from a free-kick beat Jens Lehmann - more trouble there for Arsenal in the air - before William Gallas scrambled home a consolation.

But the stage was still Crouch's. Missing from both England matches in midweek, he left England boss Steve McClaren in little doubt of the damage he can do.

His third in front of the Kop came after fine play from Dirk Kuyt and Jermaine Pennant, with the gangling striker producing clever footwork to beat Lehmann again.

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VAN PERSIE SEASON IS PROBABLY OVER

Arsenal striker Robin van Persie "is likely" to miss the rest of the season, according to manager Arsene Wenger.

Wenger was hoping the 23-year-old Holland international, who has not played since breaking a metatarsal towards the end of January, would be fit to return for the final few games of the campaign.

But Wenger said: "The end of April now looks optimistic.

"It is likely he will be out for the season."

Wenger added on Arsenal TV Online: "We have spoken to the doctors and they told us the longer you keep this kind of fracture without playing, the less chance you have of a recurrence.

"So, if he can play only one or two games then we will not take a gamble."

The loss of Van Persie has further limited Wenger's striking options, with captain Thierry Henry already ruled out for the rest of the season.

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WENGER DENIES FA CHARGE

Arsene Wenger knows there is little he can do but accept whatever punishment the Football Association hand out for peeived misdemeanours - yet will continue to fight Arsenal's corner when he believes the cause is just.

The Gunners, along with Chelsea, were hit with a ฃ100,000 fine for the melee which marred the end of the Carling Cup final at the Millennium Stadium.

The fall-out from that eventful afternoon in Cardiff, however, is not yet over.

Wenger has denied a charge of "improper conduct and/or bringing the game into disrepute" following his media comments relating to the incident.

Kolo Toure was shown a red card, as was Emmanuel Adebayor while the striker and Emmanuel Eboue were also punished further - something the Frenchman found hard to take.

Wenger claimed "the whole system is not honest", in reference to the disciplinary procedures of the FA, and suggestions the assistant referee "lied" in his report over the brawl.

The personal hearing is to be "scheduled in due course", with the Arsenal manager already due to meet officials following a separate charge after a half-time altercation with referee Steve Bennett during the Barclays Premiership game against Portsmouth in December.

Togo striker Adebayor is finally available again tomorrow for the trip to Liverpool after what turned out to be a four-match ban for his perceived aggressive role in the brawl - and reaction to the subsequent red card from referee Howard Webb.

Wenger may well continue to feel aggrieved by the whole saga, but accepts such is life in the English game.

"We will not appeal against the fine of the club," said the Arsenal manager.

"We always get hammered and we say 'thank you very much'.

"They have my credit card number, and we will say 'how much do you need this week? Let's do it'."

Wenger added: "Sometimes they are in a position where they have to support the wrong decisions at the FA because they have no choice.

"Like with Adebayor, we proved the decision was wrong, with an independent criminologist.

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