Wenger's future on the board

Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood said today he wants to offer Arsene Wenger a seat on the board when he has completed his time as manager.

The Frenchman is within days of signing a three-year extension to his contract.

The new deal will keep him at Arsenal until the end of the 2007-2008 season, including the first two years at the £350million Emirates Stadium which is due to open in August 2006.

"There are just one or two technical matters to be sorted out, nothing serious," said Hill-Wood.

"If Arsene stopped being manager then I am sure we would want him to stay in some other role. Maybe that could be as a director. It would a great shame to lose that expertise."

But Hill-Wood does not believe that Wenger will inhibit the man who eventually takes over.

"I am certain he would not interefere in any way" said the chairman.