Wenger gives bow to ubuntu prevalent in Huddersfield heartland

TO THE end, there was dignity and, to use one of his favourite words, humanity for Arsene Wenger as he bowed out, quite literally, as Arsenal manager after 22 years, 1 235 games and this, his 707th victory.

One-nil to the Arsenal, in fact, although that was never a scoreline he cherished or that was associated with him.

There was sentimentality, too – and why not as Wenger spoke of the appropriateness of Huddersfield Town being his final opponent in what otherwise was an inconsequential fixture?

“Herbert Chapman, maybe our greatest manager, came from here,” said Wenger. “For me to come here on the last day had a special meaning when you know the history of our club. In fact, there was a photo just in front of the dressing-room where Chapman smiled at me because he was on the photo.”

Chapman smiling down on Wenger is certainly some romantic image, one that resonates powerfully for all Arsenal fans. Chapman was Huddersfield’s greatest manager, in their golden period in the 1920s when they won league titles, with three stars adorning their shirts, and were such a force in English football that he was poached by Arsenal and transformed them too.

Chapman revolutionised the role of the manager, making him more powerful in an era when decisions were made by committee. Privately, Wenger might ruefully consider the wheel is turning full circle away from his profession, given the nature of his departure, as he first walked past the bust of Chapman at the entrance to the John Smith Stadium, then the photograph before he took to the pitch to be met by a guard of honour.

Before kick-off, Wenger strode towards the travelling Arsenal supporters and bowed to them, later saying it was a spontaneous act of appreciation. “We had disagreements, which I accept, but we had one thing in common: we loved Arsenal Football Club, and I wanted to share that with them,” he said.

Wenger went to the away dugout an hour before the game to get some “oxygen”. “It’s difficult to understand when you don’t know how deep the love is for the game [in England],” said Wenger. “It was a fantastic experience for me. Where do I go from there? That’s the difficulty. When you’ve experienced this intensity for such a long time, I don’t know where I go. I’ll remain a fan wherever I go.”

Wenger will now look forward to the next phase of his career and his life. The 68-year-old has already divulged he has had many offers and confirmed that they included Premier League clubs.

“Yes, I had offers, yes, of course,” he said, “but at the moment, I have not said anything to anybody. I came out of a long process and you cannot just the next morning go somewhere else. It’s impossible.”

But could he manage against Arsenal? “I’m not ready for that at the moment,” said Wenger. “That would be very difficult, I’d stay at home that day. Maybe, I don’t envisage that at the moment. Maybe it’s better I go somewhere else.”

He suggested that Arsenal are only “some additions” away from competing for the Premier League title. Although that may not only depend on how many is “some” but who manages them, one player who will be crucial to the future is surely Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Wenger’s final signing, if it was his decision, and most expensive ever signing scored the only goal, and it means he has struck 10 times in just 13 league games since he arrived in January for £56-million (R934-million).

The goal was also one that will have delighted Wenger as it was constructed through a slick passing move involving Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Alexandre Lacazette, with the latter sliding the ball through to Aaron Ramsey who prodded it across goal for Aubameyang to force home.

That was tough on Huddersfield who should have scored through Steve Mounie, with a header, and Tom Ince, who ballooned over, but it did not detract from the celebratory atmosphere. However, there may be a pang of alarm from their supporters in the non-committal way manager David Wagner later spoke about his own future, having kept the club up against the odds.

Club owner Dean Hoyle had taken to the pitch at halftime to suggest Wagner would stay, but the German later said simply that the chairman was putting “pressure” on himself with that declaration. Time will soon tell.

Huddersfield goalkeeper Jonas Lossl made smart saves from Lacazette and Danny Welbeck while as they made most of the running, Huddersfield went closest when Aaron Mooy clipped the top of the crossbar, and Laurent Depoitre did not gain enough power with a header.

The result also meant that, at the eighth attempt, Arsenal did not maintain their unwanted record of being the only team in English football to collect just a point away from home in 2018.

“I’m very proud, I’ve contributed a little bit,” Wenger said as he departed. “I’ve given some good moments to people who love the club.

“I don’t know what will stay or remain through the victories or defeats. I think what will remain is the formidable human aspect of the last 22 years – that is special, and I will cherish.” —