Arsenal: Wenger ‘committed with integrity for as long as I am under contract’

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has not yet decided on his future, with his contract due to expire at the end of next season, the Frenchman said on Friday.

He denied any knowledge of British media reports that he would be offered a new deal.

The Times said on Friday that the club's American majority shareholder Stan Kroenke had prepared a new two-year deal.

"I don't know where the information has come from, you can treat that as an invention," Wenger told a news conference ahead of Sunday's final Premier League game at home to relegated Aston Villa.

• Also see: Can lightning really strike twice for Leicester City? Don't discount it, writes Greg Lea

The experienced Wenger, 66, who joined the north London club in 1996 and has led them to a top-four finish in every full season, indicated he would at least see out the remaining year of his contract.

“I am committed with integrity for as long as I am under contract,” he said. “I will see where I am personally and where the club stands.”

Asked if he had decided on his future, he replied: “No”.

Wenger acknowledged he had made mistakes in a disappointing season for Arsenal, who are likely to finish third behind champions Leicester City and local rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

They were top at the halfway point but their title challenge fell away and they lost in the first knockout round of the Champions League for the sixth successive season.

Spurs will guarantee finishing above Arsenal for the first time in 21 years with at least a draw at relegated Newcastle United on Sunday.

“It was a strange season and we finish disappointed,” Wenger said. “We had a chance to win the title and we are frustrated. I agree (I could have done better). I look at myself and what I could have done.”

Midfielders Mikel Arteta, Tomas Rosicky and Mathieu Flamini, “three big personalities”, are expected to leave the club, Wenger said, adding “one or two of them could play on Sunday”.

Follow us on Twitter @NatSportUAE

Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/TheNationalSport

UPI facts

More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions

Why does a queen bee feast only on royal jelly?

Some facts about bees:

The queen bee eats only royal jelly, an extraordinary food created by worker bees so she lives much longer

The life cycle of a worker bee is from 40-60 days

A queen bee lives for 3-5 years

This allows her to lay millions of eggs and allows the continuity of the bee colony

About 20,000 honey bees and one queen populate each hive

Honey is packed with vital vitamins, minerals, enzymes, water and anti-oxidants.

Apart from honey, five other products are royal jelly, the special food bees feed their queen

Pollen is their protein source, a super food that is nutritious, rich in amino acids

Beewax is used to construct the combs. Due to its anti-fungal, anti-bacterial elements, it is used in skin treatments

Propolis, a resin-like material produced by bees is used to make hives. It has natural antibiotic qualities so works to sterilize hive, protects from disease, keeps their home free from germs. Also used to treat sores, infection, warts

Bee venom is used by bees to protect themselves. Has anti-inflammatory properties, sometimes used to relieve conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, nerve and muscle pain

Honey, royal jelly, pollen have health enhancing qualities

The other three products are used for therapeutic purposes

Is beekeeping dangerous?

As long as you deal with bees gently, you will be safe, says Mohammed Al Najeh, who has worked with bees since he was a boy.

“The biggest mistake people make is they panic when they see a bee. They are small but smart creatures. If you move your hand quickly to hit the bees, this is an aggressive action and bees will defend themselves. They can sense the adrenalin in our body. But if we are calm, they are move away.”

Arsenal: Wenger ‘committed with integrity for as long as I am under contract’

Calling reports he already had a two-year contract extension available 'an invention' on Friday, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger instead stressed the uncertainty of his future.

UPI facts

Why does a queen bee feast only on royal jelly?