‘Merci Arsene’ as Gunners bid Wenger an apt adieu
LONDON — “I will miss you,” Arsene Wenger told Arsenal fans after being given a fitting farewell in his final home game after 22 years in charge of the Gunners — a 5-0 thrashing of Burnley on Sunday.
On a day dominated by tributes to the Frenchman, both teams formed a guard of honor for Wenger, 68, before kickoff to a chorus of “There’s only one Arsene Wenger”.
All around a full house of 60,000 at Emirates Stadium — in marked contrast to recent league games when fans have stayed away to protest a poor season — they sported red T-shirts emblazoned with “Merci Arsene” (Thank you Arsene).
“Thank you for having me for such a long time. I know that’s not easy but, above all, I am like you, I am an Arsenal fan,” Wenger said during a post-match presentation on the Emirates turf.
“I would like to finish by one simple word: I will miss you. Thank you all for being such an important part of my life.”
Wenger won three Premier Leagues and a record seven FA Cups. His crowning glory coming in the 2003-04 season when Arsenal won the league without losing a single game.
He was presented with the special gold trophy given to the club for that achievement after the match by two Arsenal legends, Bob Wilson and Pat Rice, who worked on Wenger’s coaching staff for many years.
That “Invincibles” season was his last as a top-flight winner, though, and fans became tired of Arsenal’s inability to compete for Premier League and Champions
League honors.
“It means that even if they are not always happy, they still respected me and wanted to show at least I gave my total commitment to do well,” Wenger said of the ovation.
Burnley battered
There was plenty for the supporters to shout about in a fitting finale for Wenger as Arsenal displayed the attractive brand of attacking football that characterized his most successful teams over the past two decades.
“I have a certain idea of how to play football. My ambition was always to win with style,” he said.
“At a big club I feel you have that responsibility and for the supporters to have a special experience when they come to the club.”
A loss to Atletico Madrid in the Europa League semifinals last Thursday means Arsenal missed out on Champions League qualification for the second consecutive season.
But the Gunners bounced back in style to secure the small consolation of ensuring they will finish sixth in the Premier League ahead of Burnley.
Wenger will wonder what might have been had PierreEmerick Aubameyang not been cup-tied for the latter stages of the Europa League as the Gabon striker took his tally to eight goals in 11 Premier League appearances since joining for a club-record fee from Borussia Dortmund in January.
Aubameyang opened the scoring when he slid in to meet Alexandre Lacazette’s cross to get a party atmosphere started after just 14 minutes.
Burnley qualified for Europe for the first time in 51 years thanks to finishing seventh, but it seemed incredible that only three points separated the sides before kickoff as Arsenal cut through the Clarets at will.
Lacazette stroked home Arsenal’s second just before halftime before Jack Wilshere teed up Sead Kolasinac for a third nine minutes after the break.
Aubameyang turned provider for Alex Iwobi to smash home the fourth after being given a huge amount of time inside the Burnley box.