Arsene Wenger to stand down as Arsenal manager

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”.

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”.