Arsene Wenger told me his time is 'coming to the end' at Arsenal, says Ian Wright

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James Benge11 February 2017

Arsenal legend Ian Wright has claimed Arsene Wenger has admitted to him that his time as manager is coming to the end.

Wenger has yet to sign an extension to his contract, which expires at the end of the season, and refused to offer any clarification over his future when asked in his press conference on Thursday.

It has led to intense speculation that Wenger may be about to end his over-20 year tenure at Arsenal, something which Wright has done little to dampen by claiming that the Frenchman discussed his future with him on Thursday night.

“I was with the boss last night and if I’m going to be totally honest I get the impression that that’s it,” Wright told BBC Radio Five Live. “I was with him for a few hours last night and we’re talking.

“He didn’t say to me ‘I’m leaving at the end of the season’ but… I get the impression looking at him that that’s it.

“He actually mentioned when I was talking to him last night that he’s coming to the end. I’ve never heard him say that.”

Arsenal’ second highest goalscorer, Wright played under Wenger between 1996 and 1998. The pair were last night at a Q&A event along with Arsenal Ladies’ captain Alex Scott.

The 53-year-old’s comments come after several days in which speculation that Wenger may be about to move on has greatly increased, with Borussia Dortmund manager Thomas Tuchel and Juventus’ Massimiliano Allegri asked whether they had been contacted over a possible vacancy.

Notably RB Leipzig boss Ralph Hassenhuttl hinted there was an element of truth to claims he had been approached by the Emirates hierarchy when asked about the job last year.

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Wenger is preparing for Saturday’s game against Hull knowing that he must prove Arsenal can remain in the hunt for a top four place after damaging defeats to Watford and Chelsea.

Wright added: “You just feel that he looks winded, like someone has whopped him in the stomach. He has lost all his wind.

“If someone asked me ‘is he going to go at the end of the season’, I think he will.”

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