Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has given firm indication he will sign a new contract after next Saturday's final Premiership game of the season atSouthampton.
It is the Frenchman's response to the heartbreak of the FA Cup Final defeat by Liverpool which means Arsenal missing out on trophies for the thirdconsecutive season and suggestions that Wenger should now break up his side and make a host of new signings in the summer.
But he is convinced he can still make the Gunners winners again and talks with the club over a new deal to replace the one which expires in June2002 are now believed to be on-going.
Now Wenger believes it will take a maximum of just two more meetings with the Arsenal board to thrash out the final details and the likelihood isthat he will sign up for an additional two years, keeping the former Monaco coach at Highbury until 2004 when Arsenal expect to be in a new60,000 stadium at Ashburton Grove, less than a mile from their current home.
Wenger said: "I have not agreed anything yet but I know in my mind what I'll do and we will sit down together after the Southampton game. It willtake a maximum of two meetings to decide things.
"I say that because it always takes time. It is like a girl being told never to say yes on a first date.
"But it should not take too long and you will know more after the Southampton game.
"After that it could take a maximum of a second meeting but I am saying that only on my side. I can't give you a decision because you need toknow what the board wants."
PA