Arsene Wenger to leave Arsenal at end of season
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Arsenal
Former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson, speaking to Sky Sports: "He knew every player in the world. He could see a player, he knew every player in the world. He has been caught up by the internet and that is the problem Arsene has.
"I just hope the stadium is packed for the last game to pay him the right respect."
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Image source, TwitterGary Lineker has paid his own tribute to Monsieur Wenger.
Neil Warnock has locked horns with Arsene Wenger on plenty of occasions in the past but the Cardiff manager was generous in his praise of the Frenchman at his news conference on Friday morning.
"He's the man who changed the whole face of the game," says Warnock, who at 69 is a year older than Wenger.
"We owe him so much, yet have given him so much stick. In a way I'm glad he's going, I wouldn't want to see him get any more vitriol than he's had."
Image source, Getty ImagesMay 2000
Arsenal
Arsenal reached the Uefa Cup final in 2000 but after a 0-0 draw after extra time against Galatasaray in Copenhagen, Arsene Wenger's side lost 4-1 on penalties.
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Increasingly difficult for Wenger to keep his magic going and despite unfair criticism of his stubbornness, he was even willing to sacrifice his team’s style of football style to turn the team’s fortunes around - in vain. Deserves every bit of praise and a send-off fit for the legend he has become for Arsenal. Definitely time to try something new and most fans would not disagree, but there will still be misty eyes for many of the same fans.
Edwin, Hong Kong
So the BIG question is who succeeds Arsene. A new manager alone will not change much. If the club want to compete at the highest level they must be prepared to pay to bring top players into the squad.
Glen, Hampshire
I've wanted Arsene Wenger out for a long time but I've never lost respect for him and I'm glad that everyone is recognising what he has done for the club. Let's finish on a high and win a European trophy as that's the least he deserves.
James, Westbourne
1996–97
Arsenal finished behind champions Manchester United and Newcastle in Arsene Weger's first season in charge. They finished level on 68 points with Newcastle but missed out on second on goal difference.
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John Hartson
Former Arsenal striker
"I can’t say I am too surprised, I think it was coming wasn’t it? There have been calls from the Arsenal supporters in particular for him to go, with many of them calling for it for five or six years.
"But if he had gone then there wouldn’t have been three FA Cups in the cabinet, which is what he has won in the last four years.
"I think it’s the right time, it would always have been good if Arsene left on his terms at what he felt was the right time and he’s been able to do that.
“Now Arsenal will be busy looking for another top manager; looking to be somewhere near as successful as Arsene has been in his 22-year tenure as Arsenal manager.
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Image source, TwitterArsene Wenger managed Monaco between 1987 - 1994. His former club have paid their own tribute.
1998
Arsenal
Image source, Getty ImagesArsene Wenger claimed the Premier League and FA Cup double in his first full season in charge in 1997/1998.
Image source, Getty ImagesWest Brom have paid their own tribute to Arsene Wenger on Twitter.
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Edd Mowbray: Sad and happy to see Wenger leave, the time is right. Hope he wins the Europa League to exit on a high. When David Dein left, Wenger lost his wing man, he and Arsenal were never the same in the transfer market after that.
Tahir Valli: Arsene Wenger revolutionised Arsenal and English football and thus will always be remembered as a great who carried himself with dignity, integrity, passion and a man who persevered in the hardest of times.
MuS: While change is needed sometimes my heart is broken today. Thank you Arsene for everything you did for the club! Truly a legend who changed Arsenal and English football
October 1996
Arsenal
Image source, Getty ImagesArsene Wenger was appointed as Arsenal manager on 1 October 1996 from Japanese club Nagoya Grampus Eight.
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Fair to say the news caught former Arsenal defender Sol Campbell by surprise.
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Arsenal have five league games remaining, including Sunday's visit of West Ham to Emirates Stadium, followed by Manchester United (away), Burnley (home), Leicester (away) and Huddersfield (away).
They host Atletico Madrid next Thursday in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final with the second leg the following week and the final on 16 May.
So it is seven, or possibly eight games left of Wenger's reign.
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Liverpool
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp on Arsene Wenger: "I am surprised. It is his decision. I respect that. He is an influence in football. Had a fantastic career. Outstanding personality.
"He was there for so long, 22 years is a long time. Maybe in last few months not everybody was happy with this result or that.
"He was the dominating guy in mid 1990s, 2000s. It is different now because we have to challenge but in Germany he was a big role model.
"It will be different. Maybe he will go somewhere else. I wish him all the best."
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Wenger has been a massive part of my Arsenal supporting life. So many unforgettable moments and at times took us to levels I didn't think possible. This is a seismic moment in our clubs history and one that has come at the right time. I look back with huge fondness and respect, look forward to the end of this season with hope it ends on a high and beyond this season with excitement at a new chapter. As Del Boy would say, bon jour, Arsene.
Ronnie, Bradford
Any man who stays at the same club for that long in a footballing world full of mercenaries and glory hunters deserves an infinite amount of respect. He may not have won as much as he could have done, but his loyalty and his principles were never in question, and for that, I salute an icon of the modern era.
Dom, Hampshire
Heartbroken isn't the word. Wonderful manager and an even better role model for future managers.
Will, Manchester
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Image source, TwitterFormer Arsenal goalkeeper David Seaman is one of the first to react to the news.
Arsenal
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger speaking yesterday: "My personal situation is not so much my worry at the moment. My worry is to transform a season with many disappointments away from home into a success, and that’s what matters to me.
“The future is in front of me every time I make a half-turn. I cannot master that, I can only master my commitment, the quality of my work, and I do that.
“My worry is Arsenal Football Club. If you have to give me some credit and you look back at my career, you would have to accept that. My priority was always the interest of Arsenal Football Club.
“I believe we have a very faithful club, very faithful fans who will always be there and support the club. When you look at the renewal numbers for next season, they are absolutely outstanding.
“Of course we want to finish above Burnley and we play them at home still. We play on Sunday. Let’s win on Sunday and see where we go from there. We have some important games in the Premier League and we want to finish on a high.”
Arsenal
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