Arsenal and Arsène are already in negotiations over the terms of such an extension, but as we've said many times we do not expect anything to be resolved until the fate of the transfer system is known.

At the AISA meeting on Saturday, Ken Friar was caught saying "Arsène Wenger" instead of "the manager.html", when talking about how things would be at the new stadium if/when Arsenal start using it. But when asked if we could therefore take it that M. Wenger would still be with the club in 2004 he remained tight-lipped. I don't think we should read too much into it, but it is indicative of the fact that, were Arsene to leave, it's not just the fans that would be devastated.