Watch FIFA World Cup 2026™

LIVE, FREE and EXCLUSIVE

Wenger reiterates commitment to Arsenal despite Barcelona link

Barcelona coach Luis Enrique has confirmed he will leave the club at the end of the current campaign and Wenger is among the bookmakers' favourites to replace him.

Wenger reiterates commitment to Arsenal despite Barcelona link
(Reuters)

Sevilla's Jorge Sampaoli, Athletic Bilbao's Ernesto Valverde, Tottenham Hotspur boss Mauricio Pochettino and Everton's Ronald Koeman are the other leading contenders.

"No, my preference is always the same, it will remain the same," Wenger told reporters on Thursday when asked if he was interested in the Barcelona job.

"I've been here 20 years and many times had the opportunity to leave. I don't have to convince you my preference has always been Arsenal.

"I am not looking for jobs of other clubs or jobs of other people. I am just focusing on getting to the next level and try to improve. Competent managers always try to get better, to reinvent themselves."

News that makes sense

Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

The annual outcry for Wenger's head has grown louder than ever this season following Arsenal's 5-1 defeat by Bayern Munich in the first leg of their last-16 clash in the Champions League last month.

Wenger, who is out of contract at the end of the season, gave his strongest hint in years that he could leave Arsenal in the wake of that defeat, saying he would definitely manage next season, but did not know if it would be "somewhere else".

Arsenal, who are fourth in the Premier League, visit fifth-placed Liverpool on Saturday after a break of almost two weeks, and Wenger said his players needed to find their rhythm fast to avoid losing at Anfield.

"For us, after a little break, it's important to switch on quickly," he added. "After a break, it's important you are ready from the start. For us, it's vital to start strongly at Liverpool."

Midfielder Aaron Ramsey will be in the squad after recovering from a calf strain, along with defender Laurent Koscielny, who missed Arsenal's 2-0 FA Cup win over Sutton United last month with a hamstring problem.

Midfielder Mohamed Elneny is out for three weeks with an ankle injury.

(Reporting by Simon Jennings in Bengaluru; Editing by Jon Boyle)


2 min read

Published

Source: Reuters



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Stream now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world