Former MLS executive Ivan Gazidis, who left the league to take over as Arsenal CEO in January of 2009, has given his backing and that of the club to beleagured manager Arsene Wenger.

"It's nonsense based on the need to always create a mini-crisis," said Gazidis of rumors that the team's terrible start to the season and loss of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri in the transfer market would usher Wenger out the door. "We are incredibly fortunate to have a manager who has a vision of what the game can be. To have a manager who thinks about the future is relatively rare."

Gazidis said the team's acquisition of Per Mertesacker, Mikel Arteta and Yossi Benayoun are part of a revamped philosophy of team building, on which Wenger has always placed great emphasis on the grooming of younger players.

"The potential is very high at the club but self-inflicted problems have prevented us from achieving that potential," said Gazidis. "We have to correct that – that is the frustration that Arsene is wrestling with."