Wenger victorious in final Arsenal home game

LONDON » Arsene Wenger watched Arsenal beat Burnley 5-0 in his final home match in charge on Sunday before telling fans: “I will miss you.”

Wenger is leaving Arsenal after 22 years in charge and he now only has two away fixtures remaining before signing off next Sunday after his lowest-ever Premier League finish in sixth.

The failure to win the title since 2004 has proved costly for Wenger and the Frenchman was presented on the Emirates Stadium pitch with a miniature gold version of the trophy to celebrate the unbeaten Invincibles season 14 years ago.

Wenger and Arsenal have been coy about what directly prompted his departure with a season remaining on his contract.

“Thank you for having me for such a long time,” Wenger said in an address to fans. “I know that’s not easy! Above all I am like you: I am an Arsenal fan. That means this is more than just watching football, it’s a way of life. It is caring about the beautiful game, about the values that we cherish.

“I would like to thank everybody at the club who makes this club so special. I would invite you to really push to support the players and the staff who will remain behind me. For me these football players have a special quality, not only on the pitch but off the pitch.”

Chelsea boosted its hopes of Champions League qualification after Olivier Giroud’s firsthalf header sealed a 1-0 win over Liverpool.

Tottenham’s loss at West Bromwich on Saturday and Giroud’s fourth goal in five games took Antonio Conte’s deposed champions two points behind their London rival with two games to go.