End of an era for Arsenal: Arsene Wenger to step down as manager at end of season

The Frenchman was associated with the Gunners for 22 years and saw it through one of its most successful spells.
End of an era for Arsenal: Arsene Wenger to step down as manager at end of season
End of an era for Arsenal: Arsene Wenger to step down as manager at end of season

Arsenal Football Club has issued a statement that manager Arsene Wenger will leave the club at the end of this season. With one year left in his current contract, it will be the end of a 22-year-old relationship between the club and Wenger.

The club issued the statement on their website announcing Wenger’s decision to step down. “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 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 forever.” he said.

Arsenal’s majority stakeholder 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.” He also added, “Arsene 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.”

Appointed on October 1, 1996, this Frenchman holds a record of managing as many as 823 Premier League matches, after overtaking Sir Alex Ferguson’s tally of 810 with Manchester United.

Wenger has won 3 league titles in his tenure with the club. One of which was back in 2003-04 when the team went unbeaten, adopting the moniker ‘The Invincibles’.

Wenger has also won a record seven Football Association Challenge Cup titles. The most recent one was in the last season, when Arsenal beat Chelsea in the final.

Though he has led Arsenal through one of its most successful periods, a lot of fans have turned on Wenger in recent times due to lack of progress ever since the club moved into a new stadium in 2006.

Arsenal is currently in the sixth position on the Barclays Premier League table, and if things stay the same, it will miss out on a Champions League spot for the second year running. Last year was the first time the club missed out on the competition since Wenger was appointed. But Arsenal can still qualify for the Champions League by winning the Europa League where they are set to face Atletico Madrid in the semifinal.

The club has not yet said anything about Wenger’s replacement.

Related Stories

No stories found.
The News Minute
www.thenewsminute.com