Wenger in: Arsenal's longtime manager commits for another 2 years

Despite sprawling fan unrest, provocative banners, and a fifth-place finish in the Premier League, Arsene Wenger will continue to manage Arsenal for another two seasons.

The Gunners announced Wednesday what the British press long believed would happen, awarding the embattled Wenger a new deal.

"I'm happy and excited," Wenger said. "Happy because I can work where I love to be. As well because this club cherishes the values I love. I'm excited because I believe that our end of season is a big springboard to go for more. We have created a dynamic that is very positive and we want to build on that and transfer that positive end of season (form) to the new season."

The 67-year-old, whose contract was due to expire in June, endured a difficult season that pitted sets of supporters against each other. On one side was a boisterous faction that demanded Wenger end his 21-year association with the north London outfit; on the other was a more appreciative fan base that remains loyal to the Frenchman.

"The message to the fans is in aid of the club," he said. "Let's be together to support our players, to support the club and all give our absolute best to be at the level that we want to be. We can move up to the next level, I'm convinced of that, by having faith in the way we want to play football and by supporting the players we have already. Of course we'll try to strengthen our squad to be stronger next season, but we want to be faithful to the way we want to play the game. We want to support this way (of playing) all together."

Whether it's celebrated or condemned, the decision to retain Wenger means he will - barring some unforeseen development - surpass Sir Alex Ferguson's 810 matches at the helm of Manchester United. Wenger has taken command of 790 fixtures since he was appointed to lead Arsenal in October 1996.

Back in March, reports emerged that Wenger had decided to remain in charge and that the club's higher-ups, notably owner Stan Kroenke, maintained faith in the manager.

The feeling was not unanimous. Hundreds of supporters led a "Wenger Out" chant ahead of a Champions League match against Bayern Munich - the first of several outward displays of dissent against their club's longtime manager.

Fans then commissioned biplanes to fly over the Hawthorns during a match at West Brom. One did the rounds with a banner reading, "No contract," while another said, "In Arsene We Trust."

In response to the overwhelming criticism, Wenger said he would "never forget" the hate spewed toward him and fumed at the "lack of respect" for his two decades of service.

The future of Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez also weighed on Wenger, with both marquee players on contracts that expire in 12 months.

Results failed to provide any immediate relief. Although Arsenal finished the Premier League campaign with eight wins in the last 10 outings, it missed out on Champions League qualification for the first time in 20 years.

Winning the FA Cup for a record seventh time, however, Wenger showed he may yet have the tactical nous to bring Arsenal back to the top. He deployed a back-three to great effect, with Per Mertesacker, who had not started a game all season, putting in a man-of-the-match performance in between Nacho Monreal and Rob Holding.

It gave Wenger a 10th major honour in English football, going along with the three Premier League titles he won in 1998, 2002, and 2004.

Whether he can lead Arsenal to the summit once more is, like everything else at the club, up for debate.