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Arsene Wenger has given the clearest insight into his eventual departure from Arsenal and how he wants to leave with the club back at the top of English football and a successor who will surpass his achievements. After leading Arsenal to the sixth FA Cup and ninth major trophy of his 19 years as manager earlier this year, Wenger told shareholders at the club’s annual general meeting that this current team have a good chance of winning what would be a first Premier League title since 2004.

Wenger also outlined how the club was now into phase three of his tenure as manager after the easy glory years from 1996 until 2005 and what he regards as the more substantial achievement to 2013 of maintaining the club in Europe’s elite while funding a new stadium. His current contract expires in June 2017 when he will be 67 and he is clear about what legacy he wants to leave.

“I know we faced adversity sometimes but I am more motivated than ever, more committed than ever,” he said. “I was a bit more relaxed 19 years ago. Today I know what it means for people. I know how sad people are when we don't do well. The responsibility on my shoulders is much bigger. I am resolute to commit absolutely until the last day of my contract to bring back big success to this club and leave as well one day in a position where it can do even better when I leave. That is for me very important: That I leave the club in the shape that the guy who comes after me can do better.”

Of the period from 2005 until 2013 when Arsenal did not win a trophy but always finished in the top four, Wenger said: “If you ask me to do it again I would say ‘no, let somebody else do it. I will not take that gamble any more because it was so difficult’.” With Arsenal two points behind Manchester City at the top of the Premier League, Wenger said that his team are legitimate title contenders and that it would be his priority this season. “I think we are back in contention and we have a good chance,” he said. “From January, what for me was the turning point in the history of this team, in the calendar year of 2015, we have taken more points than anybody. That means the trend is right.”

Wenger was applauded repeatedly by shareholders, although one fan took the microphone to lament the club’s recent Champions League performances. The questioner said that the defeats against Monaco and Olympiakos, as well as the draw with Anderlecht, were “embarrassing”. Chairman Sir Chips Keswick accused the shareholder of “just making a noise” and said that he would preclude the question, until Wenger intervened. “You have picked three performances that were not good enough,” said Wenger. “I accept you have to be over-critical when the performances are not good, but look at the number of games Arsenal played in Champions League before I arrived, look after, and come back to me.”