Arsenal "must retain" under-fire manager Arsene Wenger past this season, according to shareholder Alisher Usmanov.

Wenger has another season on his contract that pays him £8 million a year, but Usmanov, who owns 30 percent of the club, has offered the 66-year-old his full support.

"Arsenal's results are stable. They are always among the leaders of the English Premier League. This is a good and large sports business project, and I am pleased with it," Usmanov told Rossiya24.

"The only thing is that today such situation occurred, like in any sport, there are ups and downs. The club must retain its major symbol and main asset -- manager Arsene Wenger."