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." More
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." More
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