London, England (Sportsbooks) - Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was rewarded with a three-year contract extension that will keep him with the Premiership club until at least the summer of 2008.
The 55-year-old Frenchman has established the Gunners as a powerhouse since his arrival in 1996. Arsenal completed the 2003/04 Premiership season without a loss and just recently had an incredible 49-match league unbeaten streak snapped with a loss Sunday at Manchester United.
"My intention has always been clear. I love this club and am very happy here," Wenger said. "Signing a new contract just rubber-stamps my desire to take this club forward and fulfill my ambitions."
Arsenal has won three league titles and three FA Cups with Wenger at the helm. The Gunners also currently lead the Premiership after 10 matches.
"As well as the six major honors he's won during his time here, Arsene has been a leading influence behind all the major initiatives at the club, including the construction of our new training center and also our new stadium," chairman Peter Hill-Wood explained.
The Gunners are set to open a new home, Emirates Stadium, in August of 2006. Wenger has repeatedly stated a desire to be with the club when the new stadium opens, and will now officially have that chance.
Wenger's coaching career began back in France at Nancy in 1987. He then took over at Monaco the next season, the beginning of a successful six-year run with the Ligue 1 club. He next moved to Japan for two seasons before being hired at Arsenal.
"I still have so much to achieve and my target is to drive this club on, not only by sustaining our recent success but building upon it," Wenger said.
"These are exciting times for Arsenal and I'm proud to be the manager."
