Arsène Wenger lifts Premier League title – Courtesy of Arsenal’s official account on Twitter
CAIRO – 20 April 2018: After more than 21 years in serving Arsenal, Arsène Wenger announced on early Friday morning that this is the last season for him on the bench of Arsenal, as a coach.
Wenger stated in an official statement published on Arsenal’s website: “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.”
Wenger extended his contract last summer; it was expected to end at the end of next season, but the pressure increased after the bad results of the recent years which forced him to take the decision.
Wenger led Arsenal to achieve three Premier League titles; one of them was the memorable invincible title in 2003/2004 season. He also achieved seven Football Association Challenge Cups known as FA Cups and seven FA Community shield titles.
Majority owner Stan Kroenke said following Arsène’s announcement on Arsenal’s website: “This is one of the most difficult days we have ever had in all our years in [the] 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 honor 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.”
Arsenal places sixth in the Premier League table standings with 54 points. The team finished fifth last season and missed the Champions League for the first time since the Frenchman took charge in 1996.
The Gunners are set to face Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Europa League’s semi-final.
Here are some of the clubs’ official accounts, pundits and fans’ reactions on Arsène Wenger’s big announcement.
Gary Lineker, Former Tottenham legend and BBC Sport pundit
Manchester United’s official account on Twitter
Arsenal’s defender Per Mertsacker
Whoscored account on Twitter chooses best line-up for Arsenal under Arsène Wenger’s tenure starting from the 2009/2010 season.
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