So Arsene Wenger is finally leaving Arsenal Football Club, and it will be the end of the most successful era in the history of the Gunners. Many will say he outstayed his welcome but no-one can deny the achievements, improvements and trophies that he left as his legacy.
So, as Ivan Gazidis said in his emotional speech, we need to show our honour to Wenger and then find the way to build on that legacy. Gazidis said: “Today I am focusing on paying tribute to Arsene. I don’t want to get into a public discussion about private conversations that I want to respect. The decision has been made and now there are two things that are important.
“The first is that we take some time to honour Arsene and to show him how much love and affection there is for him, and to get behind him and make some special moments for him and for this club.
“The second thing is to begin to look forward longer term, how do we take that legacy forward? Those are the important things today, and today the second part of that task begins.”
JustArsenal was full of fans celebrating the fact that Wenger will be finally stepping down, which I find disrespectful to the man that helped immensely to make us into one of the richest and most well-run clubs in the world. The trophies may have dwindled somewhat, but what he achieved with a limited budget in the move to the Emirates was a wonder to behold. Put aside your differences and take a minute to think that you don’t realise how much you may miss something until it’s gone.
COYG
Sam P
Yes, from now on, it’s the players’ responsibility to work harder in the field. They are the ones we should blame if they make errors or slack off in the West Ham and the Atletico Madrid games
The lazy players and the ones that like to play safe cannot hide behind Wenger anymore. Arsenal have given them a lot of money to perform and if they cannot do that for their own future at Arsenal, I don’t think the next manager would be so lenient like Wenger
And different news are beginning to come out, some said he was sacked, because the players got the news yesterday’s morning as well, some of the failed transfers, Arsene Wenger’s disappointments!! Whatever the situation the truth is that the club need a change. SO LET US SEND HIM OUT WITH A BANG. Europa League Trophy!!!!!
The last of the Mohicans, one song that seems so fitting for the admirable Sir Arsene Wenger, ..I did it my way.
Finally somebody who makes a decent and respectful post. Thank you for that. I loved Arsene Wenger for what and who he was. It’s also true change was needed. But some people in here have been distasteful and even hateful towards him. What was Arsenal before him? A big sorry mess. I for one will never forget what he did for us.
May be the fans showed too
much respect too long
so that’s why it’s been
14 years since the last title?
If you followed the Arsenal for any length of time you would know that the club was not a big sorry mess before Arsene Wenger became manager. Before you make comments, please check the Arsenal squad he inherited: the best back four in the country, a very good goal keeper (Seaman, England international), other top players and the great Dennis Bergkamp.
Since 2004
Man U 5 titles
Chelsea 5 titles
Man City 3 titles
Leicester 1 title.
30+ other clubs Arsenal included= 0 titles.
In Italy its Juventus, in Gemany it’s Bayern Munich
In France it’s usually PSG and in Spain its tweedle dee tweedle dum.
Maybe we should just enjoy the journey and the occasional domestic cup?
Nothing would please me more than the lads winning the EL. That’s would be a farewell that could put some shine on his legacy. If they press for 90 minutes as they have done on occasion (like last season against City) there is a chance they can get past Atletico.
First time I have agreed with you Sam P
So will they have a public competition
for the design of the Wenger statue?
Statues are rather boring though.
Name a stand after the old buzzard?
May be we need a hologram transposed on to the stadium wall
with Wenger trying to do up his zipper 🙂
How about putting Wenger into a specially built satellite
which appears above the stadium on home match days?
For the last game no doubt the fans will carry cards which
when held aloft will spell out the words
” Pace quality character and mental strength ”
and when the cards are flipped over will say
“I nearly bought Ronaldo and Messi” 🙂
No sendoff like EL trophy
Patrick Vieira has ruled himself out of Arsenal’ job
The plot thickens…….
Good on him. I’m sure it’s very tempting but he knows he needs to learn more. Another reason Henry shouldn’t be head coach. I’d love to see him as assistant though.
I am excited about the future I have to say! COYG
What excites me is that Ancelloti is now favourite to take over at 9-2
What worries me, with this being Gazidis and all, the joint favourite alongside Ancelloti is Brendan Rodgers.
Oh no not Brenda!
Wether you are Wenger in are out Wenger if you didn’t cry you are not a true arsenal fan
No thanks. I’ve cried enough already
got paid millions to under perform, and probably got a big paycheck to get his contract cancelled. Should’ve respected the club by leaving earlier when he knew his time was up but instead clung on for as long as possible. Onto the next one, it’s been time.
Sam P. A good article. You are of course right in saying that we must now come together and pull together for the good of our beloved club and its immediate future. I speak, as many on here will well know, as someone who has long and loudly campaigned for Wengers removal. Most have agreed with me; some have disagreed. That is democracy in action, thank goodness. Intelligent people start from where we are now, NOT from where we might otherwise be and you can only play the cards you hold in your hand right now. Most of us, virtually all, will do this and will not expect the new mamager to achieve miracles overnight and not even in one two or, perhaps, even three seasons. We have a lot of damage in the squad to repair and a lot of ins and outs will be needed. All this takes time. Fans will always support PROVIDED we see the club going in the right direction. The campaign against Wenger was precisely because we could clearly see the club going in the wrong direction. Eventually even the decision makers had to agree and thus acted. All seats will now be like golddust til end of this season and Arsene will get from the vast majority of us an overwhelming outpouring of tributes and affection. We who wanted him gone, should, must and, mostly, will be magnanimous in our victorry and we must not gloat and say “I told you so.” That is to be small minded, petty even and we are Gooners are far better than that. Our club for most of it’s life has stood for class, honesty, decency and tolerance. ARSENE WENGER HAS MANY TIMES WHEN TALKING OF FOOTBALL AND ALSO FAR WIDER MATTERS THAN MERE FOOTBALL, AMPLY DEMONSTRATED THOSE VERY QUALITIES. Being human he naturally has faults ; so does everyone of us. We will now correctly celebrate all the amazing positive things he has done for our club, for the wider football world, for progress and for decency. If some think me a hypocrite for writing thus, then let them think it. What I am preaching is a wider perspective on things. Arsene to his great credit always retained a deep intelligence and love for our club. That he was far from perfect changes none of that. No new manager will ever be perfect either. We must all widen our thinking, accept that humans are never perfect and get behind our new man. I personally will be emotional when ARSENE FINALLY LEAVES AND SINCERELY WISH HIM THE VERY BEST FOR HIS FUTURE. AS I WRITE, I HAVE A TEAR IN MY EYE. I BELIEVE THAT HE WILL SHORTLY HAVE A STAND NAMED AFTER HIM AND A STATUE ON OUR CONCOURSE. Both will be richly deserved! COYG!
Spot on Jon!!!!one of the best comments i’hv ever reade on here
If you are reading this though unlikely.
Arsene, thank you for your service, thank for the beautiful football that you brought to us, and thank you for the silverware. But most of all, thank you for being one of us.
Sincerely, a fan.