Arsene Wenger to keep Arsenal waiting until April

Arsene Wenger will make Arsenal wait until at least April before deciding whether to extend his contract beyond the summer or walk away from the club he has managed for 20 years. 

Wenger’s existing deal expires in May but the 67-year-old is in no hurry to commit himself until a month before it is due to end. 

The Frenchman indicated yesterday that he will take stock of his situation at that time and is comfortable leaving it so late. 

Wenger did not agree to his last contract until the last minute, signing a three-year extension in May 2014 after the season had finished when his tenure then was set to end the following month. 

"I will judge where I stand in spring and make my decisions then,’ said Wenger, whose side face West Bromwich Albion on Boxing Day. 

"And the club is free as well. It’s not because I am here a long time that I have any rights. We are both on the same boat." 

Wenger is the longest-serving manager in English football by a considerable length of time. Paul Tisdale, at Exeter City, is behind him on 10 years. 

The closest in the Premier League is Eddie Howe, who has been in charge of Bournemouth for four years.