Arsene Wenger has pledged his future to Arsenal after earlier fears that a possible £100 million sterling link-up between the club and a media company could threaten his position as manager.

The man who led the club to the Double last season has been promised by the current board that in the event of new partners coming into the club, they will be staying.

The confirmation yesterday that Arsenal are talking to United News and Media prompted a clarification on his future from Wenger, who has stalled on signing a new four-year contract. "If a new team of directors comes in and all the present directors go, then that is different. But I have a guarantee from the people in charge that they will stay in charge, so it is no big problem," he said.

Arsenal are seeking more money to compete better in the transfer market and to build a new, bigger stadium or enlarge Highbury.

United News and Media, which owns the television companies Meridian, Anglia and HTV, plus The Express and part of Channel 5, is understood to be talking about a joint-ownership package. They will want to control Arsenal's long-term television rights.