‘Sad’ Wenger walks off into sunset amid outpouring of Arsenal emotion
HUDDERSFIELD, UK — Arsene Wenger admitted it was hard to keep his emotions in check as he brought the curtain down on his 22-year reign as Arsenal manager with a 1-0 win at Huddersfield on Sunday.
After 7,895 days and 1,235 games, it was “au revoir” to Wenger as the Frenchman took charge of the Gunners for the last time.
Wenger has been on a nostalgia-tinged long goodbye since Arsenal announced last month that his historic reign would come to an end once the season was over.
And the 68-year-old was overcome with emotion before and after Arsenal’s last game of the Premier League campaign.
“Of course it is very emotional after 1,235 games for the same club,” Wenger said.
“To enjoy it we had to win it, winning football games is what makes me happy and the boys did it.
“Do I feel relief? Not really, I’m sad. At some stage it has to end, I wish everyone well, the fans have been great until the end and I wish the club well for the future.”
Greeted by headlines asking ‘Arsene who?’ when he was hired in 1996, Wenger departs firmly established as Arsenal’s greatest manager.
He won three Premier League titles, including the famous 2003-04 unbeaten season, and seven FA Cups, while revolutionizing English soccer with his use of sports science and scouting of players from previously untapped markets like Africa.
Fittingly, it was a 38th-minute goal from Gabon striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang — the last major signing of the Wenger era — that ensured his manager went out on an uplifting note.
“I believe I had an impact on the club as a whole because it is in a strong position, it has a new stadium, a new training ground and new players,” Wenger said.
“With the results we won three Premier League titles, played 49 games unbeaten and I’m very proud to have won seven FA Cups, too.”
Guard of honor
Having spent the past two seasons enduring abuse from Arsenal fans frustrated by their club’s failure to win the title since 2004, Wenger’s farewell tour has been played out to a soundtrack of praise.
He was given a guard of honor before kickoff at John Smith’s Stadium and the feelgood atmosphere peaked in the 22nd minute — marking his number of years in charge — when he was applauded by both sets of supporters.
Two planes flew over the arena, carrying messages reading: “Merci Arsene, we will miss you too.”
But for all the stirring goodbyes, Arsenal’s struggles this season sealed his fate as they missed out on a place in the Champions League for a second successive campaign by finishing sixth — 37 points behind champion Manchester City.
Yet Wenger claimed he has left Arsenal in good shape.
“The team needs some additions and if they get them I think they will compete for the league title,” he said.
Whether Wenger will return to management elsewhere remains to be seen.
“I will stay in football for sure. I am addicted and I don’t think that can be cured,” he said.
Wenger returned to the pitch long after the final whistle and sought out the last remaining Arsenal fans.
Handing one supporter his tie, Wenger basked in the warm glow of their applause for a few moments before disappearing into the sunlit evening.