By Elton Gomes
Arsenal’s long-standing manager Arsene Wenger has announced that he will be quitting the club, thus marking an end to his 21-and-a half year career at the club.
In a surprise decision, Wenger announced he will be leaving the club, leaving fans in awe of his career and with the realization that they have a lot to thank Wenger for. The official website of Arsenal has a statement titled “Merci Arsene,” which means “thank you Arsene” in French.
Wenger will not be completing his newly signed two-year contract and will leave the club a year before the contract ends.
After careful consideration and following discussions with the club, I feel it is the right time for me to step down at the end of the season,” Wenger said in the official statement. Wenger’s sudden announcement took everyone by surprise, and several people took to Twitter to express their surprise and gratitude for Wenger’s contributions.
Here’s what happened
Media reports claim that Wenger decided to step down as he was aware of the looming threat of being sacked. Several also believe that Arsenal’s majority stakeholders Stan Kroenke and other directors were concerned about the team’s dismal performance, considering that several supporters did not attend home matches in several weeks. Furthermore, it seemed that Ivan Gazidis, Arsenal’s chief executive, was implementing a major change. The Guardian claims that Gazidis was arranging for arranging a succession plan in Wenger’s presence.
After Wenger made his shock announcement to players in the dressing room, there was silence. Per Mertesacker then delivered a rallying cry and urged the team to give Wenger a fitting farewell by attempting to win their final matches.
“For the next couple of days, it is just about honouring him (Wenger) and the work he did for Arsenal. And giving it all we have to ensure that he leaves with the Europa League,” said Hrishikesh Dubey, a Gunners’ fan since he was six.
While looking at Wenger’s tenure in Arsenal, the coach began exceptionally well by combining the prowess of Dennis Bergkamp, Patrick Vieira, and Tony Adams. Wenger ended up winning the Premier League and the FA Cup. However, his troubles began somewhere around 2006 after Arsenal lost the Champions League final to Barcelona. Arsenal’s failure to perform as a team and several important players leaving the club added to Wenger’s troubles.
However, Wenger retained his position at the club. Arsenal had a trophy drought, but it began transforming into a team that was strong for its values – values shaped by Wenger. Fans such as Dubey are still optimistic about Wenger’s style of play, “Arsene turned down offers from some of the biggest clubs in the world (including United, PSG, and Madrid) and he has (almost literally) given the club Emirates. He added, “He had a team with a fading Squillaci at the back, Bendtner in front, Almunia in goal, and Frimpong in the field. Yet, he managed to keep Arsenal competitive overall.”
Wenger’s replacement
An ardent Arsenal fan, Utsav Kapoor, believes former Arsenal player Patrick Vieira will be the best replacement for Wenger, considering that Vieira has been a Gunner for a long time. Wenger himself has said that Vieira “has the potential” to succeed him. Only time will tell who will replace Wenger at the club.
Besides Vieira, former Barcelona manager Luis Enrique has been rumoured as being Wenger’s replacement. Spanish football expert Guillem Balague stated that Enrique would love to take up the Arsenal job. The Sun reports that three members of the Arsenal board have different people in mind, with Vieira and Enrique emerging as strong contenders.
Regardless of whoever replaces Wenger, the Frenchman’s legacy might be hard to replace. Wenger’s legacy “was more about making the club what it is and how it is,” Dubey said. An ardent fan of the coach, Kapoor added that Wenger’s contribution to the club has been priceless and he deserves a statue outside The Emirates.