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Arsene Wenger to leave Arsenal at end of season

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Arsene Wenger is to leave Arsenal at the end of the season, ending a near 22-year reign at the club.

The Frenchman departs a year before his latest contract was due to expire.

The Gunners are sixth in the league and set to miss out on a top-four spot for the second straight season, with their hopes of reaching the Champions League resting on winning the Europa League.

Wenger, 68, won three Premier League titles and seven FA Cups, including the Double in 1998 and 2002.

"I am grateful for having had the privilege to serve the club for so many memorable years," said Wenger. "I managed the club with full commitment and integrity.

"To all the Arsenal lovers, take care of the values of the club."

Arsenal majority shareholder Stan Kroenke described Friday's announcement as "one of the most difficult days we have ever had in all our years in sport".

He added: "One of the main reasons we got involved with Arsenal was because of what Arsene has brought to the club on and off the pitch.

"His longevity and consistency over such a sustained period at the highest level of the game will never be matched."

Appointed on 1 October 1996, he is the Premier League's current longest-serving manager and has taken charge of a record 823 games.

But some fans have turned on the Frenchman over the past two seasons as a result of their league performances.

Sunday's 2-1 defeat at Newcastle was their 11th in the league this season, equalling their worst tally in a campaign under Wenger.

They are 33 points behind leaders Manchester City, who have 87 points, and the same number away from bottom side West Brom, who have 21.

Arsenal finished outside the top four last term for the first time since Wenger arrived at the club, and are now 14 points behind fourth-placed Tottenham, with five matches remaining.

They face Spanish side Atletico Madrid, who are second in La Liga, in the Europa League semi-finals, with the first leg on Thursday.

Wenger won three Premier League titles and four FA Cups in his first nine seasons in charge.

In 2003-04, he became the first manager since 1888-89 to lead a team through an English top-flight season unbeaten.

But after winning the 2005 FA Cup, they waited another nine years - or 3,283 days - for their next silverware. It came as they beat Hull City to win the 2014 FA Cup, before winning the trophy again the following season.

Wenger won his seventh FA Cup last season, beating Chelsea 2-1 at Wembley, but finished 18 points behind Antonio Conte's Premier League champions.

His side have struggled in Europe since losing to Barcelona in 2006 Champions League final.

They were eliminated at the last-16 stage for the seventh successive season on their last appearance in the competition in 2017, losing 10-2 on aggregate to Bayern Munich.

In 2006, they moved into the £390m Emirates Stadium after leaving Highbury.

The Gunners have consistently spent less than their main Premier League rivals on new signings, but Wenger twice broke the club's transfer record this season.

France striker Alexandre Lacazette joined in the summer for £46.5m, while his final signing was Gabon striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang for £56m in January.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43834283
 
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Thank god hes finally going! Thanks for 1st ten seasons in charge but there after it was downhill and a disaster.

Hopefully new manager, new ideas and get rid of the huge number of rubbish players in sqaud and rebuild!
 
It is atleast 8 years late. Tarnished most of his legacy. Even his immediate generation of coaches are getting outdated.
 
Will be remembered as a giant, 22 years! Some of his players were not even born when he took over the manager duties for the gunners.
 
It is atleast 8 years late. Tarnished most of his legacy. Even his immediate generation of coaches are getting outdated.

You will have to change your user name now :))) but yes he went on way to long as manager.
 
End of an Era.

Whatever the last ten years were like, it is a sad day for our club.
True supporters will appreciate him and applaud his achievements.

His achievements are not just based on his first few years there.
He moved us into a new stadium and kept us fighting for the title and in the CL with depleted funds and at a time when he had to let his best players go. A period when Chelsea and Manu were spending big he kept us within touching distance of them.
 
Wenger did overstay in the job and was stubborn to a fault. However as an outsider looking in, he always conducted himself with dignity and class. He always had kind words for my team and there's no doubt he revolutionised the English game with a focus on diet, youth development and sound scouting.

I wish him all the best.
 
I don't have too much knowledge of football but one doesn't have to be an avid fan of the game to realize that this guy has done alot for his club and football in general. Always sad to see legends leave the umpire they handcrafted themselves, but our existence in this world is temporal, let alone football. Wish him all the best.
 
The rot had set in

But a true gentlemen and great manager of the english premier league always will respect him

Hope he gets a good send off will be emotional
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Thank you Wenger for everything you have done for us <a href="https://twitter.com/Arsenal?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Arsenal</a> and for the memories. Sad to see you go. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AFC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Wenger?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Wenger</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Arsenal?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Arsenal</a> <a href="https://t.co/pvUjT1VTW0">pic.twitter.com/pvUjT1VTW0</a></p>— Sir Mo Farah (@Mo_Farah) <a href="https://twitter.com/Mo_Farah/status/987295788739985408?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 20, 2018</a></blockquote>
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http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/first-team/298713-jurgen-klopp-arsene-wenger-arsenal

Jürgen Klopp has articulated his enduring admiration and respect for Arsene Wenger after the Arsenal manager announced he will leave his post at the end of the season.

Wenger revealed on Friday that 2017-18 is to be his final campaign in charge of the Gunners after 22 years with the London club.

Shortly after that news broke, Klopp faced the media to preview Liverpool’s trip to West Bromwich Albion on Saturday and the Reds’ boss spoke in glowing terms about a man he labelled an ‘influencer’ and a ‘role model’.


“First of all, I heard it when I came in this morning. I was surprised but it’s his decision, first of all we have to respect that and I have no problem with respecting that,” Klopp said.

“Today we could probably say he was, and is still, an influencer in football. He has a fantastic career, outstanding personality, [he’s] just a really big player in that business. We usually change overnight and he was there for so long, 22 years - that’s long!

“[He has been] very, very successful, that’s how it is. Maybe in the last few months not everybody was happy anymore about this or that result, but that’s normal and part of the business. But he always developed teams, brought fantastic players in, was a dominating guy in the mid-90s, early 2000s when he was really winning pretty much everything and played wonderful football.

“I admired his work always, it was always brilliant. Since I’ve been in England it’s a little bit different because now we have to challenge them, of course, but from Germany he was always a big, big role model in that job.

“It will be different without him. I’m not sure if he steps back at Arsenal or he will go to another club - he looks quite fit, obviously, and he enjoyed the job I think, even in the last few years, so maybe he will go somewhere else.

“But from my side I wish him all the best, and hopefully I can meet him at one point again and tell him that in a personal talk.”
 
Some reactions to Wenger's announcement:


Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson: "I am really happy for Arsene Wenger. I have great respect for him and for the job he has done at Arsenal. It is great testament to his talent, professionalism and determination that has been able to dedicate 22 years of his life to a job that he loves.

"In an era where football managers sometimes only last one or two seasons, it shows what an achievement it is to serve that length of time at a club the size of Arsenal.

"I am pleased that he has announced he is leaving at this stage of the season, as he can now have the send-off that he truly deserves.

"He is, without doubt, one the greatest Premier League managers and I am proud to have been a rival, a colleague and a friend to such a great man."


These people are necessary in football'

Manchester City

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, whose side are celebrating the Premier League title has had his say on Arsene Wenger.

"He is a huge personality. The Premier League is the Premier League thanks to what he has done," says Guardiola. "These people are necessary in football

"It was a pleasure to compete against him

"I wish him all the best in the future. Hopefully he can be involved in the game in a different way."

https://www.bbc.com/sport/live/43834554
 
About time! He should have left a while back instead of hanging around like a bad smell. Arsenal did well over the years under Wenger with the "invincible s" team being his highest moment. He never won the Champions League though. I do chuckle at the Arsenal fans when they try to compare Arsene to Alex Ferguson:O The Scot is miles ahead.
 
About time! He should have left a while back instead of hanging around like a bad smell. Arsenal did well over the years under Wenger with the "invincible s" team being his highest moment. He never won the Champions League though. I do chuckle at the Arsenal fans when they try to compare Arsene to Alex Ferguson:O The Scot is miles ahead.

Zidane has as many CL trophies in 2 years as SirAlex had in 26, the resources involved make a huge difference. Wenger dis underachieve in Europe but that's not the be all and end all

King of the FA Cup, no one will match his wins imo
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">During Arsene Wenger's reign as Arsenal Manager, Pakistan has had 39 different captains across all formats of cricket</p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/987373652667699200?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 20, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The Pakistan Cricket Board has had 14 changes of Chairman during Arsene Wenger's reign as Arsenal manager.<br>Also, Pakistan has had 12 changes of Prime Minister during Arsene Wenger's reign as Arsenal Manager</p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/987376928687575041?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 20, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Arsenal fans should be happy now but Wenger going isnt going to make them contenders for the title.

He was good in the first 8 years but a very poor manager after this, highly overated.
 
Zidane has as many CL trophies in 2 years as SirAlex had in 26, the resources involved make a huge difference. Wenger dis underachieve in Europe but that's not the be all and end all

King of the FA Cup, no one will match his wins imo

The FA is not that big in my opinion. Champions League and EPL are much bigger then it. Wenger did not get anywhere near Arsenal at all. I am surprised that he lasted as long as he did. Would have been sacked ages ago had he been a Man Utd manager.
 
He's been manager of them since before I was born! When I was younger I thought Arsenal was named after Arsene Wenger, surely I wasn't the only one?
 
What a great manager he has been over the years.

Probably stayed in the job a couple of seasons to long though.

Seems like he's been pushed by the owners.
 
The FA is not that big in my opinion. Champions League and EPL are much bigger then it. Wenger did not get anywhere near Arsenal at all. I am surprised that he lasted as long as he did. Would have been sacked ages ago had he been a Man Utd manager.

I meant that compared to the Champions League and EPL the FA Cup is third in the list of most clubs priorities. Arsene did not get anyway near Alex Ferguson as much as Arsenal fans would like for the two to be compared. Had Arsene been manager of Man Utd he' would have been sacked ages back.
 
Classy guy. Stayed on longer than he should have . But he gave us beautiful football and developed some world class players. Our greatest ever manager. Let's sign him off in style.

Thanks for the memories Arsene. :bow:
 
wenger.jpg

Wenger with Ferguson today.

mourinho.jpg

Wenger with Mourinho, not the greatest of friends.
 
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End of an era as his final game today, don't support Arsenal but feels emotional as he has been there so long
 
Ex-Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger says he is ready to take a new role in football - but has admitted for the first time he might not return to management.

Wenger ended his 22-year Gunners reign after the 2017-18 season and previously stated he intended to take charge of a new club in early 2019.

But the 69-year-old Frenchman told the BBC: "I thought I will come back into management very quickly, but I enjoyed taking a little distance.

"Now I'm at a crossroads."

Wenger was speaking at the launch of a new partnership with a sports technology company, which he is joining as an investor and operating partner.

The firm said Wenger would be taking an "active role in business and product development" of a device housed in a football boot that analyses players' technical, tactical and physical performance.

It will not prevent the Frenchman from resuming his career in football. However 12 months out of work has given him a different outlook and may influence his next move.

"You will see me again in football. As a manager... I don't know," he said.

"In this year I did a lot of charity work, conferences - and I enjoyed it, I must say, to be a little bit less in highlights and less under stress.

"I'm less intense, but I have a better perspective of what's going on. I see the mistakes managers make and I don't pay the price for it.

"I came to the conclusion I want to share what I learned in my life, because I think life is only useful if, at some stage, you share what you know.

"In what way will it be? Will it be in just winning football games, or will it be in another way? That's what I have to decide and that decision will come very quickly.

"Football is still my passion. I will come back soon - but I cannot tell you exactly in what capacity."

Wenger won three Premier League titles and seven FA Cups after taking charge of Arsenal in 1996, becoming the north London side's longest serving and most successful manager.

"I miss competition and I miss Arsenal because I left my heart in there," he explained.

"I gave my life to this club for 22 years. Every minute of my life was dedicated to this club and I miss the values we developed inside the club.

"I support Arsenal. It will be forever my club."

Europa League final a 'nightmare'
Wenger has yet to attend a Gunners match since his departure, and he will again be watching on television when they face Premier League rivals Chelsea in the Europa League final in Baku, Azerbaijan on 29 May.

But he expressed displeasure at the choice of venue, given the travel problems encountered by both sets of supporters and the decision of Arsenal's Armenia midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan not to participate because of political tensions between his country and the host nation.

"It's a little bit of a nightmare [for the fans]," said Wenger.

"The teams have no problem. They live in ideal conditions - they have their private jet, nice business seats. But it's the fans.

"That [Mkhitaryan's situation] is something that should not happen in football.

"I feel it's not normal that in 2019 - inside Europe, with very sophisticated democracies - that you cannot play for political reasons."

How to get to Europa League final in Baku on a budget - by Race Across the World's Alex Speck-Zolte
With Liverpool and Tottenham meeting in the Champions League final, it is an all-Premier League line-up in the two major European showpieces.

Wenger says that is down to the "quality of work" of English teams but also the age of the squads of some of the European giants.

"Many teams who were dominant forces in Europe before - Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Juventus - have collapsed," said the Frenchman.

"Paris St-Germain had a good opportunity to win the Champions League this year and [there has been an] over-ageing of the other dominant forces.

"They have to renew their teams. The players who used to make the difference are a bit overage now.

"That's why we will have a very, very interesting transfer market this summer."

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/48386784
 
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