There’s been plenty of talk surrounding Arsene Wenger’s future at Arsenal over the past few seasons and whilst many believed that he may have left the club on a high note when he won the FA CUP back in 2014, he has since stayed on for another two seasons. Wenger now takes charge of Arsenal for the 2016-17 season, the 21st campaign of his career in England having joined the Gunners back in 1996. However many expect this will be his very last, with even Wenger himself hinting at retirement.
There’s been plenty of questions surrounding his future at the club after this season, and his contract is up at the end of the campaign. Wenger is yet to commit to a new deal and has said he will wait to the end of the season before making a decision, however his language may suggest that he’s already given his future a fair bit of thought.
When questioned about his future and possible retirement, Wenger said: “It’s been my life and, honestly, I’m quite scared of the day. The longer I wait, the more difficult it will be and the more difficult it will be to lose the addiction.
After Alex retired and we played them over there [at Manchester United] he sent a message to me to come up and have a drink with him. I asked: ‘Do you miss it?’ He said: ‘Not at all.’ I didn’t understand that. It’s an emptiness in your life, especially when you’ve lived your whole life waiting for the next game and trying to win it.”
The last few years may have been difficult but there’s no doubt that his departure would truly be the end of an era at Arsenal and in the Premier League. No matter if you are still a fan of his or not, there’s no denying how much Le Prof has done for the club and if it is to be his final year in charge, I hope that not only he goes out having won something, but that he also gets the respect and sense of achievement he truly deserves.
I’ve always wanted Wenger to move upstairs onto the Arsenal board, to consider his legacy and use his wealth of knowledge on a scale that perhaps he is more suited to nowadays, business. However there is also talk that Wenger may have a go at international management before hanging up his suit and tie.
Will this be Wenger’s last year?
By AH