Wenger confident over deal

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has stated chairman Peter Hill-Wood has every right to be confident the Frenchman will put pen-to-paper on a new deal at Highbury.

The Gunners' supremo has been showing his confidence this week that Wenger would be committing his future to the club and now the manager has given his reaction.

Wenger has stated he has always maintained his desire to stay with the Premiership champions and added he feels his future is firmly with the North London club.

With Real Madrid on the lookout for a new boss, following Jose Antonio Camacho's surprise exit, Wenger's name has been mentioned, however he has no desire to join the Spanish giants.

"He (Hill-Wood) is right to be so confident, yes. I've come out many times and said 'I'm committed to the club'," said Wenger.

"I think my future is here. There is no doubt in my mind and there is no doubt in the chairman's mind. I think we'll come to a logical conclusion at the right time.

"It's basically to find the time to sit together and talk about it because I think there is a desire from both sides and I think we'll come to a normal conclusion.

"The club has an option on my contract for the next season after 2005, so that's why we're not in a great rush.

"My head is clear. My intention is very clear, it's not to move away to Real Madrid or anybody else.

"If the fans are worried I'll leave then they should not be worried. The fans should have the same worries I have and that's the team performing."

Captain Patrick Vieira came out and said he wants to lead the club out at their new ground at Ashburton Grove in two years' time, and Wenger believes his future is secure.

"I feel at the moment he has decided that he wanted to stay," he added. "He's seen the long-term picture at the club.

"Either way he has three more years to go on his contract, this year plus two more years so his future, in my opinion, is very stable."

Although Sol Campbell is available for Wenger after a long-term injury, the Gunners boss is still undecided whether he will throw him in at the deep end against Manchester City.

"I have 24 hours to decide that. If he is selected in the squad then he will travel to Manchester City and then I have to decide whether he will start the game or not.

"Fitness wise there are no problems, he lacks a little match fitness wise, but at some stage you have to give him that and you can only do that in the games."

Two players who are definitely out against City are in-form Robert Pires and Brazilian midfielder Gilberto Silva, although both injuries are not serious.

"Pires is injured and is not available tomorrow. I don't think it's a long term one, but he has a problem with his foot.

"Gilberto Silva is out as well. I think Pires might just be for tomorrow and Gilberto Silva could be two to three games."