After nearly 22 years in charge of
the Gunners, the Frenchman has announced that the time is right for him to
leave the Emirates Stadium
Arsene Wenger has announced that he
will stand down as Arsenal manager at the end of the season.
The 68-year-old took charge of the
club in 1996 and has guided them to three Premier League titles and seven FA
Cups, although in recent years his record has come under scrutiny.
Pressure mounted on the former
Nancy, Monaco and Nagoya Grampus Eight boss when he failed to lead Arsenal into
the Champions League for the first time since 1996-97 last summer, and with the
Gunners struggling to reach the Premier League top four once more, he has
decided to call it quits.
In a statement published on the
club's official website, he 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.”
Meanwhile, majority shareholder Stan
Kroenke expressed his thanks to the Frenchman for his service to the north
London side.
“This is one of the most difficult
days we have ever had in all our years in sport,” he said. “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.
“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. 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
Arsene’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.”
Although the Gunners are out of
contention for the top four, they can still reach the Champions League if they
win the Europa League. However, they will have to overcome favourites Atletico
Madrid in the semi-finals, and should they win that either Marseille or Red
Bull Salzburg lie in wait.
Arsenal, meanwhile, have indicated
that they are currently working on finding a new manager and "will make an
appointment as soon as possible".
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