The future of Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will be announced shortly the Islington Gazette understands.

According to well-placed sources the board have also discussed the possibility of appointing a director of football for Wenger to report directly into.

The long-serving manager who won the FA Cup for the seventh time in his 21 seasons at the club – an English record – by beating Premier League champions Chelsea 2-1 on Saturday, wants to carry on at the club.

Speaking after the match on Saturday: “I have played until the end of my contract, which is today [Saturday]. I have shown you I have exactly the same commitment.”

He also pointedly referred to the criticism from many fans by saying: “Once the game starts you have to support your team.

“Am I the right man to take Arsenal further? It’s not about popularity it’s about competence.”

However, a power struggle has emerged with certain board members now against Wenger being offered the two year deal, which has been on the table for the last few months of the season – even if talk of a fall out between the Frenchman and Gazidis is wide of the mark.

What is expected is a recognition of a less than stellar league season to result in a reshuffle behind the scenes at backroom level.

With the man in charge, the largest shareholder at the club, Stan Kroenke, happy for Wenger to continue it is expected that the club will formally announce the Frenchman will stay until 2019, tomorrow following meetings today.