• Premier League

Wenger says he could handle Hull hell

Arsene Wenger has ridiculed claims that he could quit Arsenal if they fail to end their trophy drought by winning the FA Cup.

The manager's future has been the subject of debate for some time and admits he still has not finalised a new contract to replace the one that expires this summer.

But, with pundits and former players believing he could be on the verge of a dramatic departure, Wenger says he should still be in charge at the Emirates whatever Saturday's result against Hull at Wembley.

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Mesut Ozil says an FA Cup final win against Hull is crucial © Getty Images

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"The result of Saturday's FA Cup final will have no influence on my future at Arsenal," he wrote in his blog for Eurosport. When I've been part of a club for 18 years, it would be a bit ridiculous to base my decision on one single match, don't you think?

"Will I be the manager next season? Yes, normally. It's not completely finalised yet, but it should happen. I am very proud of the team's attitude, because they have been through very tough moments. And they have always answered scrutiny with positive thinking."

Wenger also defended his team's performance in the Premier League this season again, despite the fact they lead the way for much of the campaign.

He said: "Winning the FA Cup is our main goal now. Each year, Champions League qualification is the minimal objective of the season, but, in England, it's very difficult to be present year after year among the first four teams in the league.

"Even if we have been frustrated this season - because we led the league for 128 days, and we lost the title in the end - Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal can all feel frustrated this season. But we still have one big objective: win the FA Cup on Saturday."

After Arsenal's trials and tribulations this season - and their long and disappointing trophy drought - the manager has told his players it is time to capitalise on their hard work.

Wenger said: "We are back at Wembley for the first time since the League Cup final defeat to Birmingham and the players who were there in 2011 thought about it a bit in this year's semi-final against Wigan, because we were favourites by far, just as against Birmingham.

"We were losing 1-0 and there were only 10 minutes to play. Finally we won after a penalty shoot-out. This game was a bit apathetic. We were getting out of a bad period and we had this huge pressure; no matter how, we had to go through this round. We had some difficulties, but we succeeded. Now we have to make something out of it in the final."

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