Arsene Wenger will finally bring his 22-year stay as Arsenal manager to a close at the end of the season, the Frenchman announced on Friday.
“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 a statement posted on the club’s website. “I am grateful for having had the privilege to serve the club for so many memorable years.”
Wenger, 68, won three Premier League titles, leading the only side to go a full league season unbeaten in 2003-’04, and lifted seven FA Cups during his tenure.
The Frenchman has been under increasing pressure to step down from the club’s fans for several seasons as Arsenal haven’t won the Premier League for 14 years and risk missing out on Champions League qualification for the second consecutive season.
However, after Wenger actually announced he is stepping down, social media could not believe it.
Arsenal made the announcement in the most innocuous manner possible, tweeting just the link to the statement, titled “Merci Arsene.”
Thankfully, the club posted this video later:
Whatever your impression about Wenger, his stats are incredible.
The tributes started pouring in.
And, of course, there was some humour.
With inputs from AFP
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