The Gunners are facing somewhat uncertain times, with speculation over whether talisman captain Thierry Henry and indeed Wenger himself will remain at Emirates Stadium for the long term. While reports of a double swoop for both men by Spanish giants Barcelona may be somewhat premature, there are certainly plenty of things for Arsenal to get ironed out before the start of the new campaign. Top of the agenda for Wenger will be securing the future of Henry, who has again been linked with a move away from England. That is likely to depend on whether the Arsenal manager can convince his most influential player - who is scheduled to return for early fitness work this week following injury - that the Gunners can indeed deliver. The Gunners have failed to land any high-profile signings so far this summer, although Valencia full-back Miguel and Ajax winger Ryan Babel are both reported targets while a deal for starlet Havard Nordtveidt is set to be formalised shortly. With the current funds available nowhere near the likes American-owned Manchester United, Liverpool and Aston Villa, not to mention Chelsea, will have to spend, there had been growing calls for the club to accept outside help or remain also-rans. Initially, the board were hostile to any increased involvement of Kroenke, whose Sports Enterprises UK group now hold around a 12% stake. It was a schism which led to the departure of vice-chairman David Dein, a close friend and ally of Wenger. Now, though, it would appear that stance has shifted following face-to-face talks between the American, Gunners chairman Peter Hill-Wood and managing director Keith Edelman in New York. "It went perfectly well," said Hill-Wood. "I hope we will be able to work with him in the future just as we would with any interested people." A fuller explanation to Arsenal shareholders on the issue is expected to be given later this week. The warming of Hill-Wood to the American - of whom he once declared "we do not need his money and we do not need his sort" - is believed to be mainly down to the influence of Wenger. Despite his belief in the potential of his young squad, the French coach, 57, is all too aware of the need to add "super super class" to the mix in order to once again challenge for domestic honours and in Europe. The board have promised to back Wenger in his choices - whether over recruiting new talent or the future of current players, just as they did when then captain Patrick Vieira left for Juventus two years ago. The Arsenal manager, however, accepts he will need someone to share the burden of the work involved in transfers following Dein's shock departure. Although director Ken Friar had been "helping me out", Wenger indicated he would step up his search for a new director of football at the start of July. Reading's Nicky Hammond - once on the books at Arsenal - is said to have been high on the short-list, but is now expected to remain at the Madejski Stadium. Wenger knows it will not be a straightforward process. "It is difficult to find somebody now who is in between the board and me and is in the right position," he said recently. "When I work with Ken Friar I know I speak to the board. I say 'okay let's do it and let's finish it with the lawyers' and he does that. "If we have someone in between the board and me he needs then to report to me again and then the board, so it becomes a little bit complicated. "The way to work until now was always directly me and the board and I have to find a way to get around that."