The manager is set to meet with chairman Peter Hill- Wood and managing director Keith Edelman this week to try to thrash out his future.

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Old friends: But Arsene Wenger wants David Dein back at the club

Wenger has one year left on his contract, and his refusal to commit to Emirates Stadium beyond 2008 was one of the key factors that persuaded Thierry Henry to move to Barcelona.

Dein's departure in April was another reason given by the French striker for his decision to end his eight-year stint with the Gunners.

Wenger was also unhappy with the manner of the former vice-chairman's exit from Arsenal and is now set to make Dein's return a key issue in his contract negotiations.

The 57-year-old is not going to rush into making any decision on his future and is likely to sit tight until Christmas.

Dein is in a similar position. He has kept a low profile since leaving Arsenal and turned down the chance to return to football when offered a job by the new majority shareholder at Newcastle, Mike Ashley.

Dein still believes he will return to the club he helped to build into Double winners, but the circumstances are not right at the moment.

American tycoon Stanley Kroenke has expressed his dissatisfaction at the events of the weekend and told the Arsenal board to 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.

Kroenke met Hill-Wood and Edelman in New York only 10 days ago but he now wants a better idea of the club's plans for

to the Invisibles

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."