Wenger extends Arsenal deal: is he the right man for the job?

 
       

  
  
   
       Title:    Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger     Alt Text:    Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger      

  
 
      
    The trophy drought is over, but that doesn't mean Wenger is the man to deliver more success     
 
        Talking Point  
       Jonathan Harwood     
    Monday, May 19, 2014 - 1:29pm  
      After bringing Arsenal's nine-year trophy drought to an end on Saturday, Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is poised to sign a new three-year deal to stay on as manager. And after signing his new contract, worth as much as £24m, he will embark on a massive £100m spending spree this summer. 
 The deal is a lucrative one for Wenger, with its value placed at £22m by the  Daily Telegraph  and £24m by  The Guardian , and the manager's future will be settled by the time he heads to Brazil to act as a pundit during the World Cup. 
 However, despite the  club's euphoria  at securing the FA Cup at the weeked, Wenger's decision to extend his reign has raised some eyebrows, even among Arsenal fans. 
 "The timeframe of the deal is especially intriguing," says Jeremy Wilson of the Telegraph. He notes that although Wenger has usually signed three-year contract extensions, he has never let his existing deal run out before. 
 By the time the new agreement expires Wenger will be 67 and will have spent 21 years at the helm. "Wenger's decision reflects his belief that the core of this current squad is again ready to seriously compete to win the Premier League or Champions League," says Wilson. 
 But is he mistaken? "It would be wrong to depict even such a cathartic victory as bringing ultimate vindication for Wenger," says Matt Hughes of  The Times . "The cracks in Arsenal's squad seem to grow wider every year... and Wenger has proved adept at papering over them." 
 It was "disconcerting" to hear Wenger claim that his squad only needed two or three additions this summer, says Hughes. What's needed is a "comprehensive rebuilding operation" but even if Wenger realises it, he may lack the "ruthlessness" to carry it out. 
 "One trophy doesn’t make Arsene Wenger a specialist in success," agrees Patrick Barclay in the  Evening Standard . Arsenal should enjoy their success but "Wenger must also ponder the failings of his regime, which were apparent even on Saturday". 
 Meanwhile, former Gunners goalkeeper Jens Lehmann has told the  Standard  that he is "not sure" that Wenger is the man to bring success back to the club. 
 "They have to make changes," he said. "Sometimes the structure has to be not only on two shoulders, or one man, but you need a couple of people who define, control and monitor the progress of the club and the philosophy." 
 Even the influential  Le Grove  blog has reservations. "Three years? How did that happen? I could take two. But three? Based on the season we’ve just had? Well, it’s an odd one for me," writes founder Pedro. 
 There are issues with fitness, tactics and player recruitment that need addressing he says. "We've just got to hope [Wenger] is a little more humble about the next three years," he says.  ·   
       Football        Arsene Wenger new contract    FA Cup    Jens Lehmann