Originally posted by turbo_drift:
[b]Chairman Peter Hill-Wood says he is hopeful Arsene Wenger will extend his stay at Arsenal despite Thierry Henry's decision to join Barcelona.
Henry claims that uncertainty surrounding Wenger's future and David Dein's departure prompted his decision to quit Emirates Stadium.
The French coach has a year left on his current contract and continues to be linked with a move away from North London.
But Hill-Wood says he wants Wenger to sign a new deal with the Gunners and has left the ball firmly in his manager's court.
"I am not particularly worried about what Thierry said but whether it really influenced his decision or not we will have to wait and see," Hill-Wood told the Daily Telegraph.
"We certainly don't think Thierry Henry going and Arsene Wenger's contract situation are in any way linked. That was just an excuse.
"I am really hopeful he (Wenger) will extend but at this moment I am only in a position of hoping.
"I've no reason to think that he won't but at the same time I have no reason to believe he will say yes. Certainly we would like to see him sign a new contract - we have made no secret about that.
"But we have not talked any details about anything with him or the board. We will wait and see what he wants to do. Then we can sit down and discuss things if he is positive about it. I am very relaxed. We are in good shape."
Hill-Wood also admitted Arsenal 'would like to find another player or two' following Henry's departure.[/b]
would like? they better contact them now...