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Arsenal focused on winning, not Arsene Wenger's contract - Petr Cech

Petr Cech has challenged Arsenal to keep on winning to extend Arsene Wenger's tenure into a 22nd season.

Long-serving boss Wenger's contract expires in the summer, with the ex-Monaco manager again prioritising the Gunners' current form over his own future.

Gunners goalkeeper Cech insists Arsenal's squad will not attempt to interfere with Wenger's plans, but accepts producing a successful season will be the best way to keep the Frenchman at the club.

Wenger should deliver his customary speech to Arsenal's annual general meeting on Monday, where the appraisal of the club's longest-serving manager could well be far more positive than in certain times past.

Asked if sustained success this term could help keep Wenger at Arsenal beyond the summer, Cech replied: "Of course. If we are successful, if we keep winning games and we're all going in the right direction, then everybody's happy, obviously.

"I think we leave that [Wenger's future] with the boss and with the club, and we concentrate every day to be ready, to be competitive and to win as many games as possible. I think that is our main target.

"Obviously as for the manager and the players the future is always uncertain in football, but you work every day to be successful and this is what we can do.''

Cech pulled off three vital saves as Arsenal marked Wenger's 67th birthday with a drab goalless draw against Middlesbrough on Saturday.

While Arsenal were unable to toast their manager's milestone with a victory, Cech took the opportunity to hail Wenger's continued influence at the north London outfit.

"He changed the club and he had a huge impact on the history of this club,'' Cech said of Wenger, who transformed Arsenal on arrival in 1996.

"And he keeps doing so. It's unlike anyone else, with Sir Alex [Ferguson] and him.

"That creates history itself, because you don't see many managers spending such a long time at one club.

"Of course we are disappointed to have dropped two points [against Middlesbrough], but the way the game went actually it might be a point gained.

"Because in the first half they had better chances and could have been up at half-time.

"In the Premier League you can't win every game. The positive thing is that although it didn't happen for us we kept a clean sheet and took a point.

"But we do have to make sure that we make up those two points somewhere else.''

Arsenal are expected to schedule Monday's training ahead of Tuesday's EFL Cup clash with Reading so that Wenger can attend the AGM as usual, to address the club's board.

Wenger hopes any frustrations from Saturday's draw will not filter into the meeting, especially given Arsenal are now unbeaten in 12 matches in all competitions.

Asked if the draw could alter the AGM's complexion, Wenger said: "Let's not go overboard as well.

"We come out of a strong period. Everybody can have a draw.

"You don't win on command. Especially when you go into a game like that, the AGM is not in your mind.

"What you want to do is to win the game and, when you don't win, you deal with it.''

Anticipating a relatively positive mood at the AGM, Wenger cited his much-heralded record of always guiding Arsenal to a top-four Premier League finish.

"I think we have never gone into the AGM in a disastrous state,'' he said. "Why? Because we are always in 20 years in the top four.

"Work in the club for six months and you will see how it is inside.

"We have always been, every time, in a decent financial situation. Maybe the shareholders were not always happy.''