Wenger zips lip on future with Gunners

WEST BROMWICH, England - Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said on Saturday he has made a decision on his future - and that he'll take his time revealing it.

After watching his side humbled 3-1 at West Bromwich Albion, Wenger said he has determined whether or not to remain with the Gunners when his contract expires at the end of the season.

Fans at the Hawthorns greeted him with 'Wenger Out' banners and derogatory songs as a plane overhead towed a banner demanding his departure.

That was followed by another plane with a pro-Wenger banner, but he still suffered the ignominy of traveling fans chanting "You don't know what you're doing!" near the end of the game.

Wenger had previously said he would make a decision on his future before the end of the campaign.

"I know what I will do in my future, and you will soon know too - very soon," he told reporters.

"You will see. Today I do not necessarily worry about that. We are in a unique bad patch that we've never had in 20 years.

"We're losing game after game, and that for me is much more important than my future."

Wenger said he did not pay attention to events in the stands or in the air as he watched his side beaten by two goals from Craig Dawson and one from Hal Robson-Kanu.

Alexis Sanchez equalized for the Gunners, but a fourth loss in five league games left Wenger's record of reaching the Champions League in every season of his reign in peril.

"I watch the game, I do not watch the stands during the match," he said.

"We have to live with that. You focus on your job, no matter what people think. We have a big fight, I agree with you ... and it could be very difficult now.

"We've no other way than fighting until the last game of the season, and if it is not good enough we have to take the consequences. If we don't do it, maybe people will one day enjoy being in there again.

"In this job it is like when you have a problem with your engine. You can always find many problems, but is important to find the most important one.

"The most important one today was we had 77 percent possession but didn't create many chances, and we have to focus on that.

"The fans are a bit disappointed and I can completely understand."

Wenger said Sanchez had been substituted with an ankle injury, which will be assessed before the club decides whether to withdraw him from the Chile squad.

Goalkeeper Petr Cech was also forced off before halftime with a calf problem, which will be assessed over the weekend.

West Brom has now won eight of its past 10 home league matches and has equaled last season's points tally of 43.

Agence France-Presse