Arsene Wenger has sought assurances about Arsenal's direction and the amount of money that will be available to improve the squad this summer in the wake of David Dein's departure from the club.

Dein was forced out on Wednesday by board members opposed to his support for the US investor Stan Kroenke, but the departure of the Arsenal manager's closest ally at the club has left the Frenchman considering his long-term future.

As Dein reflected on his next move, Wenger met the board at the Emirates Stadium and demanded an explanation of the reasons behind the vice-chairman's exit. Dein was pivotal in recruiting him to the club and for more than a decade the pair have run the football operations, with Dein conducting negotiations for players identified by Wenger.

With negotiations over extending his contract, which expires in 2008, yet to begin, Wenger has greater reason to ponder his future than at any time in his decade at Arsenal. Sources close to the manager said he was highly unlikely to leave the club before his contract expired, but that he would be seeking significant financial backing this summer as evidence of the board's commitment.

"Arsene has never reneged on a contract, but he has lost his main ally, and while the board do respect him enormously for what he's done I think for the first time he will be seeking assurances about money this summer," said the source.

Wenger moved to ease concerns among supporters about his future after the board meeting, but his sadness at the departure of Dein was barely concealed in comments released via the club website.

"It is a sad day for Arsenal," he said. "It is a huge disappointment because we worked very closely. David has contributed highly to the success of the club in the last 10 years. Red and white are the colours of his heart.

"My position is that I am linked with the club very strongly. The relationship with the rest (of the board) has always been very good and we try always to have a good understanding."

While the board attempts to shore up relations with the manager, Dein is keeping his counsel and reflecting on his next move. Sources close to him said his removal had come as a shock but that he was philosophical about his position. With 14.5 per cent of the club - worth in excess €100 million - to play with Dein is not without options and he may yet sell to Kroenke, a move that would leave the American with almost 26 per cent, close to the 30 per cent required to mount a hostile takeover.

That strategy would be high-risk, bloody and destabilising to the club that Dein has served since 1984, but he would potentially have allies among supporters.

The Arsenal Supporters Trust, which own one per cent of the club, said yesterday they would be interested to hear details of a Dein-backed takeover bid.

Kroenke, mindful of the PR disaster of Malcolm Glazer's controversial takeover of Manchester United, wrote to the trust welcoming their input to club affairs and seeking to reassure them that he had the north London club's best interests at heart. The coming months will demonstrate the truth of his sentiment.

Guardian Service