Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood admits he doesn’t know whether manager Arsene Wenger will agree to sign a new contract wit the club.
Thierry Henry claimed that doubts over Wenger’s future played a part in his £16m move to Barcelona.
Hill-Wood dismissed that as “an excuse” but admitted he is still unsure about Wenger’s plans.
He said: “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.
“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.
“We certainly don’t think Thierry Henry going and Arsene Wenger’s contract situation are in any way linked. That was just an excuse.”
Wenger has been linked with a move away when his current deal expires in 12 months time, but Hill-Wood hopes the French coach will remain.
He said: “I am really hopeful he 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.”
