Arsene Wenger's Arsenal destiny in own hands - Stan Kroenke
Last updated on .From the section Football
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is the only man who will decide when he leaves the job, says Gunners owner Stan Kroenke.
"It's his decision and only he will know that," Kroenke said in an interview with the Daily Telegraph.
Wenger has been criticised for his transfer policy and the Gunners' poor start to the Premier League season.
But the American businessman added: "Arsene's our man. As an owner, that's who we put our confidence in."
And he pointed to 61-year-old Wenger's record in discovering new talent, and to the promise of a side containing youngsters like Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Jack Wilshere.
"Maybe it is one of those times when we have to work our way through, maybe with some young players," Kroenke said.
"Arsene has been really good at developing these guys, people like Jack Wilshere.
"There are some really good players that Arsene thinks can be special.
"Sometimes you go through periods like that."
Wenger celebrated his 15th anniversary in charge of Arsenal on Friday and insisted he still has big ambitions.
He said: "The vision is to make this club the best club in the world, it is as simple as that. To carry through the values we think are important in the game.
"I'm very proud of the values I defend in the game and we will try to continue to do that."
It has been six years since Wenger last won a trophy with the Gunners and when asked how long it might take to put Arsenal back on top, he said: "In my life I hope. You may say to me I have to live very long, I don't know.
"I am grateful [Kroenke] has confidence in my abilities to sort our problems out because that is not easy to find in football."
Kroenke believes Wenger has the energy and desire to rebuild the Gunners and defended the departure of Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona for £30m and Samir Nasri to Manchester City for £24m.
He said: "He still maintains himself in tremendous physical shape. You have to have stamina and energy.
"[The departure of Fabregas] was between Arsene and him.
"I like the kid but I'm not going to change his mind. Arsene made the decision.
"I also understand the decision on Nasri. If we didn't do something on Nasri, people would be looking at us next summer and saying, 'Why didn't you do this?'"
