Planning for next season with Arsenal, says Wenger

Turning a deaf ear to talk of him being removed as Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger said he is planning for the next season.

"Of course I plan for next season," Wenger was quoted as saying by ESPNFC ahead of Sunday's important English Premier League (EPL) tie against Manchester City.

"That's why I told you, do I stay for two months or 10 years, I plan for (the future). I do my job exactly the same."

Wenger made no bones of the fact that he is still taking a long-term view when it comes to planning beyond this current campaign.

The Frenchman is yet to confirm whether he intends to sign a new two-year contract to extend his 21-year reign in charge of Arsenal.

Arsenal currently lie sixth in the EPL table with 50 points from 27 matches.

Despite Arsenal's meagre return all these seasons, Wenger said top players still want to come to the club.

"I think Arsenal is a world brand today that is respected all over the world. And the Arsenal name is bigger than my name," he said.

"And coming to Arsenal is more important. You don't come to Arsene Wenger you come to Arsenal. At the moment we are not in a transfer mode, but we analyse where we have to strengthen. We are not in contact at the moment, or in negotiation, with players," he added.

"I'm still convinced they've got that and it's a good moment to show it," he said. "But the self-esteem of the group is not set in stone, it's linked as well with the last result. And the confidence linked with the last result drops. But where the character comes in is the desire to fight against it and to fight together."

--IANS

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