Arsenal Football Club held its annual general meeting at Emirates Stadium on Thursday morning.
The event gave shareholders a opportunity to pose questions to the board, while chairman Sir Chips Keswick and chief executive Ivan Gazidis answered questions.
Majority shareholder Stan Kroenke also addressed the meeting and stressed his commitment to the club and his support for Arsene Wenger.
“We are quite proud of what we have been able to accomplish and when you look around here, what a wonderful day it was at Wembley last spring. To be able to carry the day and win the FA Cup was really fantastic," he said. "We are excited to be involved with Arsene Wenger. We are proud to remark that he has agreed to stay on for a further three years and we look forward to continued success."
Wenger gave a review of the past 12 months and stated his belief that winning the FA Cup has had a major impact on the team.
“We played our semi-final against Wigan at Wembley, and of course the final against Hull City when we had a very difficult time,” he said. “But in the end we managed to deliver the trophy and did what [previous] teams could not do. It makes us stronger, it makes us more confident and I believe we will have a great season.”
The manager discussed the club’s summer transfer business, revealed his hopes to add a new signing in January and concluded by speaking of his pride at the Arsenal team’s English core.
“Today we have developed and bought English players because we want to make the core of our team, if possible, more local with a bigger consistency,” Wenger said. "You could see that in the game against San Marino, we had five of our players in the England national team and as well Theo Walcott was not there. We have got a good core of young players, with strength, who can be the basis of the English national team. Overall the team is going in the right direction.”
Wenger also thanked the shareholders for all their support, and reiterated his belief that the club is set for another successful season.
“It’s always an important part of my season to come here and meet you,” he said. “Why? I know you're very ambitious, you can be sceptical, critical but as well this is a very important meeting because we have something in common: we are very loyal to this club. And we love this club.
“I’m very grateful to see the same faces for so many years. I know I don't always please you as I would want to... one thing is for sure that we will give everything this season to make you happy. We are united, determined and ready for a fight. We are in front of another season where we need your support again, I'm sure we will get it and I’m very grateful.”
Our club photographer was at the AGM and sent back these exclusive pictures.
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