Robert Pires says Arsene Wenger will continue at Arsenal next season

Arsenal legend Robert Pires has claimed manager Arsene Wenger will remain at the Emirates Stadium next season.

The French boss signed a three-year contract extension at the end of last season after leading his side to the FA Cup victory over Hull City while securing the qualification for the Champions League.

However, his future at North London came under scrutiny after the Gunners suffered a disappointed 3-1 home defeat against Monaco in the first-leg of the Champions League last 16, condemned the Premier League giants to elimination from the competition on away goals even though they won 2-0 in the second leg.

But Pires, who has a good relationship with his former manager and still trains occasionally with the first-team squad, has claimed Wenger will not leave the club this summer at any point.

"It's not a question of strength. He's not tired. He still has that desire to be on the pitch, because he loves it, it's his vocation, he's been doing it for many years," the former Arsenal winger said to RMC.

Pires, who was part of Arsenal's famous Invincibles and worked under Wenger for six years, believes that the Champions League elimination in the last-16 for the fifth consecutive time will not influence the boss's decision, as the Gunners real target is to secure the Premier League top four.

"His aim is to qualify for the Champions League, which I think will happen, and what is certain is that you will see him on the bench again next year," Pires said, as the Gunners are currently third in the Premier League table, six points above Liverpool, who will visit the Emirates Stadium on Saturday 4 April in fifth place.

After Arsenal beat United in the FA Cup quarter final Wenger still has the chance to replicate their last season success, with Reading ready to face then at Wembley for a place in the final on 18 April.