Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger says he’ll return as manager next year, after Gunners beat West Brom

ARSENAL’S win over West Bromwich Albion is sweetened by Arsene Wenger’s post-match comment that he’ll be back at the club next year.

ARSENAL’S 1-0 win over West Bromwich Albion was sweetened by manager Arsene Wenger saying he’ll back for another season at the club, ending speculation that he might leave after nearly 18 years at the helm.

Wenger has yet to sign a new contract, with his current deal expiring after this campaign, and was asked after the win over West Brom at the Emirates Stadium whether he’ll be back next season.

Wenger simply replied “yes,” adding that “my word is my word.”

Olivier Giroud scored the only goal of the game.

The 64-year-old Wenger has come under criticism from some fans for a lack of spending in the transfer market and failing to end Arsenal’s trophy drought. The team can win its first major title since 2005 in the FA Cup final against Hull on May 17.

On Sunday, Arsenal celebrated its Champions League qualification as Olivier Giroud secured a 1-0 win against West Brom.

Wenger’s side booked their place in Europe’s elite club competition without kicking a ball when fifth placed Everton were beaten 3-2 by Manchester City on Saturday.

And 24 hours later, Giroud’s first-half header maintained the feel-good factor at the Emirates Stadium and capped a stroll in the sunshine for the Gunners, who were rarely troubled en route to a fourth successive victory.

After looking in severe danger of missing out on the Champions League for the first time in 17 years following their defeat at Everton last month, there was a palpable sense of relief in north London that Arsenal had wrapped up fourth place with two games to spare.

Albion never threatened to spoil the party, but Pepe Mel’s team remain four points above the relegation zone and their safety will be guaranteed if third bottom Norwich lost either of their final two matches against Chelsea and Arsenal.

Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil (R) does battle with West Brom’s Graham Dorrans.

With influential midfielder Aaron Ramsey sidelined by a thigh injury and Arsenal’s Champions League mission already complete, it would have been no surprise to see the Gunners go through the motions.

But the incentive of nailing down places in the team for the FA Cup final against Hull on May 17 ensured there was sufficient spark to Arsenal’s play and they quickly forced Albion onto the back foot.

The Gunners threatened in the opening moments when Lukas Podolski fired wide of the near post from Giroud’s flick.

Laurent Koscielny (R) managed to hold West Brom’s attackers at bay.

Albion couldn’t cope with the speed and precision of Arsenal’s attacks and Mesut Ozil slalomed into the penalty area before setting up Santi Cazorla for a powerful shot that deflected over. Arsenal’s pressure was rewarded from the resulting Cazorla corner in the 14th minute as France striker Giroud, showing greater desire than his Albion markers, made a thrusting run to the near-post where he directed a close-range header past Ben Foster. The home side dominated most of the rest of a tepid match which failed to reach any heights.

With the points in the bag, the celebratory mood continued after the final whistle as Arsenal’s players marked their final home game of the season with a lap of honour featuring chants from fans for French right-back Bacary Sagna to ignore reported interest from Manchester City and sign a new contract.

Originally published as Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger says he’ll return as manager next year, after Gunners beat West Brom