Arsene Wenger's relationship with Ivan Gazidis becomes strained as Arsenal boss drags out decision over future

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James Olley12 April 2017

Tensions are growing between Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger and chief executive Ivan Gazidis as a decision over the Frenchman’s future continues to drag on.

The pair have worked together closely since Gazidis joined the board at the beginning of 2009 but Standard Sport understands their relationship has become strained in recent weeks amid mounting speculation over Wenger’s position.

The 67-year-old is yet to decide whether he will carry on once his current contract expires at the end of the season and is thought to feel unhappy at Gazidis’s declaration to a fans’ forum earlier this month that the team’s recent poor form will be a “catalyst for change”.

Arsenal are keen to make structural changes to the club regardless of whether Wenger remains in charge or not with their chief transfer negotiator Dick Law expected to leave and a search for a sporting director to begin.

Wenger is thought to have taken a dim view of any such alterations being made. He originally had sole discretion to determine the timing of his own departure and earlier in the season, the board offered him a two-year contract to extend his tenure at Emirates Stadium.

However, Gazidis recently denied any offer was currently on the table and Wenger repeatedly swerved the chance to clarify the situation when asked at a press conference last week.

Wenger faced renewed calls to step down from Arsenal’s travelling supporters towards the end of last night’s 3-0 defeat at Crystal Palace. Gazidis was at Selhurst Park to watch another dismal display which leaves the Gunners seven points behind the top four with eight games to play.

The club’s public position remains Sir Chips Keswick’s statement from last month in which he said “any decision will be made by us mutually and communicated at the right time, in the right way”.

Wenger’s preference remains to stay but conditions are increasingly difficult for him to do so.

Fan unrest continues to grow and although Arsenal have a £30m contingency fund designed to offset a loss of Champions League income, missing out on the top four for the first time in Wenger’s 21-year reign would be a huge disappointment to majority shareholder Stan Kroenke and Gazidis.

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