Believe it or not, Arsene Wenger has revealed he will step down as Arsenal boss. The surprise announcement came on Friday morning, with the Frenchman revealing he will vacate the managerial seat at the end of this season.
After 22 years in charge of the Gunners, the 68-year-old has finally made the decision to end his tenure with the club. A statement from Le Prof was published via the club’s official website in which he thanked the team, the staff, and the supporters.
This announcement quickly became trending news on social media for obvious reasons. The French tactician has been the victim of abuse in the last few seasons, with calls for his resignation hitting a new high this season.
However, the tone had changed once Wenger’s decision was made public. Anger directed at the manager immediately ceased, being replaced by tweets of gratitude for a man who has dedicated the majority of his career to one team.
Tributes quickly poured in for the 68-year-old, but the best came from the Gunners. They posted an amazing compilation video of their best moments during Wenger’s reign which will leave every fan with goosebumps.
#MerciArsène pic.twitter.com/bjP0wLMgee
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) April 20, 2018
The same feeling was echoed by fellow managers, iconic players, and supporters of the club. Many suggested that Arsenal should honor their most successful manager – some ideas were more outlandish than others. Check out the best tweets below.
Former Arsenal Captain Cesc Fabregas makes an Instagram post about Arsène’s departure at the end of the season..#MerciArsène pic.twitter.com/TvMi2iNzua
— UberArsenal™ (@UberAFC) April 20, 2018
And so we bid adieu to a French revolutionary who changed the face of English football. Arsene Wenger's @Arsenal came to represent the game as it should be played. He has never been anything other than a pleasure to deal with. I hope he gets the send-off he deserves #merciarsene
— Jon Champion (@JonChampionJC) April 20, 2018
Today is a strange day filled with mixed emotions for us Arsenal fans. We can all probably agree it’s time, and has been for some while, for Arsène to move on, but we are also losing our most successful manager ever who took us to a new level, and did so with class.#MerciArsène pic.twitter.com/BLaFe8TyJy
— UberArsenal™ (@UberAFC) April 20, 2018
Today is a strange day filled with mixed emotions for us Arsenal fans. We can all probably agree it’s time, and has been for some while, for Arsène to move on, but we are also losing our most successful manager ever who took us to a new level, and did so with class.#MerciArsène pic.twitter.com/BLaFe8TyJy
— UberArsenal™ (@UberAFC) April 20, 2018
An emotional day. Arsène took English football to a different level & pushed me to become the player I never thought I'd be. Let's cherish the memories & his legacy, which will always remain. We must thank him for giving his all to make @Arsenal such a great club. #MerciArsène pic.twitter.com/X9fvMGaWJW
— Lauren Etame Mayer (@Lauren12arsenal) April 20, 2018
"Arsene Wenger built the best teams that I played against in England Football. The biggest compliment is that he played football that made us change the way we played vs. them. He now deserves the most incredible send off from all in the coming weeks."
— ArsenalFanTV (@ArsenalFanTV) April 20, 2018
- Gary Neville pic.twitter.com/k4HuB8njj7
Petition to have an Arsene Wenger statue the size of the shard outside the northbank next season @Arsenal
— Connor (@TikiTakaConnor) April 20, 2018
Rename The Ems after him. The Arsène Wenger Stadium.
— Squid Boy (@TheSquidBoyLike) April 20, 2018
And Wembley too. Wengley Stadium.
Me hearing that Wenger is stepping down pic.twitter.com/U4AShpufH0
— Paddy (@VieiraPaddy) April 20, 2018
My greatest memory of Wenger is winning the league at Spurs, it turned so sour and he should have left years ago, but it’s over, let’s look forward as fans because this could be a very exciting future ahead for us all pic.twitter.com/ViZDHWf78t
— MR DT © (@MrDtAFC) April 20, 2018
Arsene Wenger is leaving at the end of the season.
— Football Vines (@FootballVines) April 20, 2018
Arsenal fans: pic.twitter.com/F4qfpE0SWE
Arsene Wenger's greatest achievement was not the Invincibles but keeping us competitive during those lean years.
— I stan MÖ10 (@hawt_red) April 20, 2018
He made it look easy but it really wasn't.
Arsene Wenger: "I managed the club with full commitment and integrity."
— Oliver Kay (@OliverKayTimes) April 20, 2018
He certainly has. This is why some of the criticisms of recent years have been so jarring. Arsenal have had some truly great players over the past two decades, but none has given the club more than Wenger.
For a decade, Wenger’s football was glorious, innovative & attacking, and the Invincibles are legends. He let it drift, got overtaken, and surrounded himself with people who didn’t question him enough. Wenger right to go now and he deserves a statue outside the Emirates. 10/10
— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) April 20, 2018
Arsene Wenger is to leave @Arsenal at the end of the season. He has given much of his life to Arsenal. He has brought much success to the club. He has given much to the game of football in our country. Merci et bonne chance, Monsieur Wenger. #Wenger
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) April 20, 2018
Arsène Wenger at Arsenal:
— afcstuff (@afcstuff) April 20, 2018
22 years
1228 matches
704 wins
3 Premier League titles - one ‘Invincible’ season
7 FA Cups
7 Community Shields#MerciArsène pic.twitter.com/wIzq20PEjH
Jürgen Klopp on Wenger stepping down: “I was surprised. It is his decision & we have to respect that. He was & still is an influencer in football.” #afc pic.twitter.com/4yb0rQtnGV
— afcstuff (@afcstuff) April 20, 2018