Gazidis backs Wenger long-term

Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis is confident Arsene Wenger will remain in charge for the foreseeable future.

The 65-year-old former Monaco coach is preparing for a 20th Premier League campaign in charge of the Gunners.

And Gazidis believes Wenger, who last summer signed a new contract extension to the end of the 2017 season, remains the right man for the job as long as he feels able to do it.

"He's been incredibly important for us," Gazidis said. "You never know, but he's in great health and he's doing incredibly well.

"He's full of energy and enthusiasm, his hunger is still there, and I'd never put an end-date on it," said Gazidis in an interview with the Straits Times.

"He's also been a passionate supporter of the club, in a sense a fan of the club. He's put the club's progress and development above his own personal interest.

"We believe we have the right man in the club and we're very pleased that he's full of health and willing to carry us forward."

Having secured back-to-back FA Cup victories following a near decade without a trophy, Wenger now has the squad focused on a sustained challenge for the Premier League title.

Gazidis insists the Arsenal board share Wenger's optimism about what the current squad of players can achieve.

"We have got a growing sense of belief in our squad. We want to be more consistent going into next season," Gazidis said.

"We definitely have the quality in our squad to compete and win the league."