A French man and Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger has finally thrown in the towel as he released a statement of his plans to step down as the manager of the London club at the end of the current season. This is coming as a surprise to many, given all the protest that has followed his series of poor results and his team inability to win the English Premier League after their invincible era in the 2000-2001 season, yet he keeps getting a contract extension to remain at the club.
Although they are still in the Semifinal stage of the Europa competition, Arsenal’s form in the league has not been a good one, as they are still in 6th position with just two points ahead of Burnley.
As if he has had enough especially from the fans who have started boycotting games, the manager who transformed the game of the English premier league with his beautiful style of play that made Arsenal one of the favourite clubs in Europe, and a man who put a stop to the dominance of Manchester United in the English Premier League, has handed in his resignation note.
In the note, he thanked the management and staffs, with fans while urging them to maintain the clubs tradition and also looking forward to them to finish strong come at of the season.
The 68, won three Premier League titles and seven FA Cups for Arsenal in 823games, making his the longest serving manager with 22years, just behind Alex who managed United for 26years. In a statement released on the Arsenal’s websites arsenalfc.com, Wenger said:
“After careful consideration and following discussions with the club, I feel it is the right time for me to step down at the end of the season. “I am grateful for having had the privilege to serve the club for so many memorable years.“I managed the club with full commitment and integrity.
“I want to thank the staff, the players, the Directors and the fans who make this club so special. “I urge our fans to stand behind the team to finish on a high.
“To all the Arsenal lovers take care of the values of the club. “My love and support for ever.”
Arsene Wenger
Stan Kroenke on his side, had this to say:
Majority owner Stan Kroenke said: “This is one of the most difficult days we have ever had in all our years in sport. One of the main reasons we got involved with Arsenal was because of what Arsène 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.
“Arsène has unparalleled class and we will always be grateful to him. Everyone who loves Arsenal and everyone who loves football owes him a debt of gratitude. Three Premier League titles, including an entire season unbeaten, seven FA Cup triumphs and 20 successive years in the Champions League is an exceptional record. He has also transformed the identity of our club and of English football with his vision for how the game can be played.
“We have high ambitions to build on Arsène’s remarkable tenure and to honour his vision by ensuring that Arsenal competes for and wins the biggest and most important prizes in the game.
“We must now focus on making a strong finish to the season and ask our millions of fans around the world to join us in paying appropriate tribute to one of the greats of Arsenal’s history and one of the greats of the game.”
Arsène will lead the team to the end of the season and we will make an appointment as soon as possible. The club will not be making any further comment on the selection process until an appointment is made.