Arsenal board begin crisis talks with Wenger

There are growing concerns that the manager's refusal to sign any extension to his current contract is having a destabilising effect at Emirates Stadium.

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Former Arsenal keeper and coach Bob Wilson believes the club are in a "minicrisis" following Thierry Henry's revelation he was joining Barcelona because Wenger won't commit beyond 2008, when his deal expires.

US tycoon Stanley Kroenke has already expressed his dissatisfaction at the events of the weekend and told the Arsenal board they must make it their priority to secure Wenger's future.

Kroenke, who paid £50million for a 12.19 per cent stake in the club two months ago, has now requested a meeting with leading shareholder Danny Fiszman.

The American businessman and sports mogul met chairman Peter Hill-Wood and managing director Keith Edelman in New York only 10 days ago, but now wants a better idea of the club's plans for the future.

Kroenke is being strongly linked with a takeover of Arsenal but the billionaire, whose offer to fund signings in the transfer market this summer was turned down by Hill-Wood and Edelman, is concerned over the direction the club are taking.

Wenger's mood will not have been improved by opposition from some board members to the possible return of Nicolas Anelka to replace Henry, who was undergoing a medical in Barcelona morning before finalising his £16m move.

The Bolton striker has expressed a desire to return to Arsenal but some at the club have still not forgiven the player for the nature of his acrimonious exit in 1999, when he engineered a move to Real Madrid.

Wilson insisted the situation needs to be sorted out as quickly as possible. He said: "The board need to make up their mind, with Arsene's guidance, whether they can carry on with the finances that come from the new stadium and the sale of Highbury or go the American way like Manchester United and Liverpool.

"I have no doubt that Arsene will honour his current contract, beyond that I can't say. But the club have given him everything that he's asked for — a new training ground and the players he's requested."

Like Wilson, the club's fans are worried about the latest developments, especially as they have been without silverware for the past two seasons. A spokesman for the Arsenal Supporters' Trust, which represents many of the small shareholders who own up to 15 per cent of the club, said: "The Arsenal board must end the uncertainty.

"This means convincing Arsene Wenger that he has a long-term future with Arsenal, including the funds needed to compete in the transfer market."

Wenger is expected to give his first comments on Henry's departure later today and supporters are waiting anxiously for his announcement.

The striker claimed that David Dein's departure as vice-chairman had dismayed him and left him in no doubt that it was time to move on — though he hopes that the supporters will harbour no ill-feelings.

He said: "Arsenal will always be in my blood and in my heart and I will always remember you guys.

"I said I was going to be a Gunner for life and I didn't lie because, once you are a Gunner, you will always be a Gunner. The club is in my heart and will remain in my heart forever.

"I always gave 100 per cent. I hope you appreciate what I did here. I appreciated what you did for me."