Arsenal chiefs are reportedly reluctant to part company with manager Arsene Wenger and are determined to keep him in place in an upstairs capacity.

The Frenchman, out of contract at the end of the season, has yet to officially decide whether he will stay on as Gunners boss for another two years.

Wenger has already made it clear that he does not intend to retire from football even if he does call time on his two-decade spell in North London, and The Express suggests that the Arsenal hierarchy will use that to their advantage.

It is reported that the 67-year-old could be kept on as director of football, working alongside a new head coach such as legendary player Thierry Henry, who has been earmarked as a potential contender to begin a new era at the Emirates Stadium.

Wenger, who intends to make a decision over his future "soon", has also been linked with the Paris Saint-Germain job in recent days.