The end is here, after 22 years in charge of Arsenal, Arsene Wenger bids farewell to the home fans.
It’ll be emotional. It’s a one of a kind moment you’ll never experience again. If you’re lucky enough to attend, cherish the afternoon because you’ll never see another manager like him.
He was the master innovator, he brought the swagger, he made foreign managers cool, he made sexy football a thing in the Premier League, he made boring Arsenal the best ticket in the world. He gave us trophies, art and an unbeaten season. His intellect was refreshing, his class unmatched, his impact on Arsenal will never be forgotten.
Think of the players he sent our way (I’m about to borrow Andrew Allen’s format from Arseblog here)?
I’ll never forget how exciting Nik Anelka was, that pace and coolness was electric to watch. Patrick Vieira was a colossal presence in our midfield, and those Roy Keane battles are the stuff of legend. That Marc Overmars goal away at Old Trafford. Freddie Ljungberg getting snapped up after England played Sweden, to score with a cheeky lob on his debut against United. Selling Anelka, and bringing in Davor Suker (who was a bit disappointing for the most part). Not signing Patrick Kluivert. Passing on the De Boer twins because of class reasons. Building a new training ground. Signing Thierry Henry and Robert Pires who were Championship Manager heroes. Giving life to the famous back 5. Petit and that porn flick song. That gold kit. Ray Parlour in the FA Cup final. Pascal fucking Cygan. Igor Stepanovs. Ashley Cole busting into the first team. Lauren from defensive midfield to right back. Thierry from the wing to striker. That goal where he set himself up and lobbed Barthez. The Dennis/Theirry axis of amazing. Sylvain Wiltord and that pirouette thing he did. Signing Nwankwo Kanu and that hattrick against Chelsea. Kaba Diawara vs Leeds United. Alex Manninger saving penalties. Wenger doing a madness and signing 8 players in a summer. Richard Wright being shite. Gio Van Bronckhurst. The FA Cup finals and the wins. Learning to love Cardiff because we fucking owned the place. Jen Lehmann being our only transfer move. A whole season unbeaten. I could go on…
The second half of his tenure wasn’t quite as grandiose. But look, Arsenal fans are a weird old bunch, in ten years time, the hipsters will be watching back classic banter years games with a weird fondness.
Yaya Sanogo starting against Bayern Munich. Andrey Arshavin was the most explosively talented lazy boy. What the fuck is a Park Chu-young, Julio Baptista. Nik Bendtner on the right wing. Silvestre. Emmanuel Eboue at right back. Emmanuel Eboue as a right winger against Wigan. Wellington being a pizza eating tubbo. Hiding Fran Merida in the mountains. Waiting 2 summers to sign Chamakh. Robin Van Persie binning us off after one good season. Cesc Fabregas and that ponytail. Fucking up 2008. Rosicky scoring that screamer in the World Cup before we signed him to replace Robert Pires. Fucking up signing Cahill. Manuel Almunia as our first team keeper. Denilson being defended as a good player. Andre Santos as a serious signing. Carling Cup being proper fun. Top 4 Trophy. The Best Finances in the game. The War Chest. ‘One or two signings’. Abou Diaby revisionism. Flappyianski. Samir Satan. Adebaywhoooore. ‘Wenger is good at tactics’. BRING BACK DEIN. Christmas injury pile-ups. Gervinho’s hairline. Sol Campbell back at the club. Usmanov. Beckham training with the lads. Thierry back at the club. Lehmann back at the club. Sign Da Ting. Chezzers rollies. WENGER OUT. Planes with banners. Banners in general. Last 16 PTSD. Playing top 6 PTSD. Stan Kroenke OUT. AKBs. WOBs. #TeamPostiveGooners. Queen of Suburbia is a King. LOLgrove. Owen Coyle. Cash piles. MESUT OZIL. FA Cup Finals. Trophies. Spurs still shite. North London still red. JUDGE ME IN MAY. THE WINDOW ISN’T EVEN CLOSED. SEASON HASN’T STARTED GIVE HIM A CHANCE. PLAYERS LET HIM DOWN. Santi Cazorla. Aaron Ramsey. Hector Bellerin. What even is a Sporting Director. Commentating on transfer deadline day. The ‘we nearly signed’ world 11. Scorpion kicks. Assisting the assister. The Wenger smirk. Kicking water bottles. Brexit musings. That L’Quipe photoshoot.
You’ll be sad when the 70th minute lands and subs have already been made. You’ll be bored when our transfer business is done early and it’s good. You’ll roll your eyes when the next coach does his caterpillar coat up at the first attempt.
For all the craziness of the last ten years, you’ll never forget the Arsene Wenger ride. Even in his darkest hours, he’s capable of dropping a next level, is the next level, is the next level quote that’d make you laugh, cry, or reach for the internet to understand the reference. Wenger is a one of a kind, and I truly can’t believe this is it.
The timing is right, it’s been right for 6 years. There’s no looking back. This move is more epic than the one we made from Highbury to Ashburton Grove. This decision is the biggest one the club has made in 100 years. It’s the most exciting test of our future. I can’t wait.
I’ll be sad, sure. But I’ll be happy in the way you are after a relative dies a painful death. You celebrate what was, but you’re glad it’s over. The last 5 years have been unbefitting. I’m glad it’s coming to a close.
The club is starting to leak intentions of their next move to the internetz. Mark Ogden over at ESPN dropped a piece yesterday.
But the club are also keen to assess the options at the other end of the experience scale, with Manchester City first-team coach and former Arsenal midfielder Mikel Arteta under consideration, and Julian Nagelsmann, the 30-year-old coach of Hoffenheim, another name in the mix.
Sources said the move to give serious consideration to a young coach is being driven by Kroenke’s son, Josh Kroenke, who is a non-executive director at Arsenal. The 37-year-old is also the president of the NBA’s Denver Nuggets and NHL’s Colorado Avalanche, both of which are also owned by KSE.
My loins are moistened, and my fears are starting to ease that we’re not going to make a move on a caretaker of the bland variety (Carlo, Löw, Enrique, Pards, Buvac). What makes this leak particularly interesting is it’s come from ESPN, so I’d imagine the source is one of Stan’s people.
It’d be a balls-out decision to go for a Tier 3 manager, untested comes with risks, but if the club has done their due diligence, the rewards could be massive. I’d be game for a risk. People are calling that sort of view hipster, I’d say it’s pretty f*cking smart. Josh K and Stan have already had a taste of youth in the US with Sean Mcvay and the press they’re receiving is incredible. Let’s see if this is real, or just clever cover to throw us off the scent of an Allegri or Jardim. Key point in all of this, no one has a fucking clue what is going on. Ivan gonna drop a new name like Beyonce drops a new album… gotta admire that as an advertising guy.
I want to be excited about my team again. Today’s game against Burnley is the changing of the guard. As some of the old school fans would say – we’re getting our Arsenal back – because be honest, Wenger has made the club all about him of late, and it hasn’t been good.
The team need to put on a magical show for Wenger. I hope the fans who are saying they won’t stay for his lap of honour reconsider what the great man has done for the club during the totality of his tenure, and sing his name loud and proud for the last time. I hope the day sticks in the memory, much in the way it did when the great Dennis Bergkamp called it quits.
Today is about Wenger and giving him the send off he deserves, enjoy him while you can, because next season, we’ll be throwing our support behind the future, and I cannot wait.
P.S. Horrible to hear about Sir Alex, our thoughts are with him and his family. Hopefully, he pulls through. One of the greatest in sports history.
Nice goal by Kolasinac!
Kolasinac with a hammer blow, he’s been fairly poor in his first season but he’s another I can see doing well next term.
Just goes to show beating a man instead of passing it sideways again opens up more of a chance. We need wingers. Hopefully the new manager likes dribblers and speed merchants. Oh and players shooting as well would be nice
Morons singing one Arsene Wenger. Cunts.
CC
So do I. When he fist started for us he really looked like a good player.
What a miss by Mhki… could’ve been 4!
That twat Wilshere is probably gonna get a new deal now. Very undeserved if so.
Now when Wenger is leaving we can start enjoying these late season high scoring games again.
There was always the fear (rightly so) that he was going to use them as an excuse for not strengthening the team.
Thank fuck it’s over soon.
Ishola,
Chelsea team got their form back since he went there though. He not only scores but does a lot of things that the stats don’t show. Not a main striker for a PL winning team but has a lot good qualities.
Conte seems to agree with me. So it’s not a case of heart growing fonder.
‘Mhki is a bit like Rosicky in the way he can receive the ball back to goal, then turn and dribble through the lines in Cm.’
Yes noticed the similarities in their style. Rosicky was more spectacular though and probably had better technique too but yes similar style.
Raptora
Can you please explain how Laca’s technique is poor?
I just find it bizarre that it takes someone 20 years to latch onto a team. I knew a guy in college who was similar, claimed Arsenal, but wore City, PSG, Chelsea, Red Bulls jerseys… like wtf
Yeah strange that.
Agree about Mhiki. Hopefully a clear out of Ramsey and Ozil in the summer and something like Bailey/Guedes-Fekir-Mhiki next season behind the striker could be special. Dream scenario emphasis very much on dream
Charlie
Ummm, because I’m from the states and prior to ten years ago I just watched football without having any allegiance? Pretty self-explanatory. Some of us watch football because we love football.
Marko
Still set on being a twat, I see. You’re dishonesty last night was remarkable. You and Charlie deserve each other.
The players daring to shoot now, nice finish Iwobi
How shit are Burnley? Not even trying. Too bad for the specialist in failure you don’t play shit teams at home every week.
Raptora I said when Giroud went to Chelsea that he would be a first team starter soon enough. Morata has been shit. If Costa was still there Giroud would be back-up. That’s the reality of the situation. I was mostly defensive for Giroud when fans were slating him at Arsenal because he is a decent overall player. He’s no world beater though which makes your comments that Arsenal would have gone through against Atletico with him in the team slightly dubious. Also can we take your critiques of Lacazette seriously when you comment on the players physical appearance something that… Read more »
Banford
What does being American have to do with not having a team for 20 years?
Every fan loves football, it’s odd for someone to watch the game for 20 years with no allegiance.
And 4-0 with less than 30 mins to go. It seems that we can potentially score another 2 goals at this rate!!
Annoying that shit players like Iwobi and Wilshere show up in a meaningless game like this at the end of the season and probably saves their asses. Should get rid of both and many more.
Despite being a piss poor Burnley performance, Chambers has been very good today
You couldn’t pay me to put that disgusting “Merci Arsene” shirt on.
ishola70
The Nvidia Shield Pro media/stream player is the best out there. I’ve bought Egreat, Med8ter and HiMedia but Nvidia is ahead of them all.
Wenger is not in charge anymore, that tactic won’t work now hopefully.
I would still keep Iwobi as backup, he’s homegrown and still young, can improve with a proper coach. Wilshere needs to leave though.
In Banfords defense, a lot of non-Europeans don’t latch on to a team. In China most of the football fans I meet are neutral
Tr7
Rosicky was def more accomplished technically, and able to spike the tempo. Mhki however is a more dominant figure in terms of final ball, at full tilt he’s high teens for both goals and assists in a season.
There must be caution of course in judging too much these end of season matches.
And that is the case with a new manager or not.
All real judgements to be made once the serious stuff kicks off again next season with the new manager in place.
For Charlie, football is about tribalism, which is why his original reason for coming to Le Grove was to defend Arsene Wenger from what he regarded as unfair criticism. Tell us again, Charlie, about how Atletico going down to 10 men wasn’t to our advantage. That was a really interesting point. Or tell us again about how in defending Wenger on the above point you were in no way defending anyone. That was good as well. If I have a minute at some point I’ll track down the other doozy you provided that night, as I’m pretty sure there was… Read more »
Thing about Mkhi is that he will be 30 yo in 8 months. We didn’t really buy a player for the future did we.
China
“a lot of non-Europeans don’t latch on to a team. In China most of the football fans I meet are neutral“
You’ve taken China and extrapolated it to encompassing “non-Europeans”, which is totally untrue.
Latin America are not neutral, neither are Africans, Europeans obviously not. Care to reword or explain your statement?
Still concerns that Mhiki will be a fair weather player.
But he can’t be as bad as Ozil in that department.
“Every fan loves football, it’s odd for someone to watch the game for 20 years with no allegiance.”
Actually, it’s not. And being an American has a good deal to do with it as I wasn’t born into a particular allegiance (as most Brits and Europeans are).
I have an idea, though: why don’t you stop harassing me?
8 in 11 tor auba
5 0
Auba is so killer from crosses
Hahaha you know Banford hasn’t a clue when he starts the “tell us again” nonsense.
Insecure as fuck because he’s been question over his 20 year hiatus as a fan.
The pricks prick strikes again 🙂
Lol how bad are Burnley? And they’re sitting in 7th. Shows how shit the PL is.
The Wenger groupies probably thinks this game vindicates Wenger lol.
Imagine Auba with a winger that can regularly beat his man and put in low crosses for him? Exactly what we need against parked buses next season.
Yay, Mert.
BFG on
Thank God Mertesacker fucks off as well after the season. Doesn’t dare to play but has no problem picking up a check every week. Cunt.
I’m Back!!!
Leave Bamford alone! WENGER OUT!!!
Just as well he’s leaving because one gets sick of seeing a striker be shoehorned into the LW position.
Lol, Steve. Sound as bitter and bad as I do!
Ishola70
All real judgements to be made once the serious stuff kicks off again next season with the new manager in place.
Agree with this. This has always been my stance. Once the players get properly coached, we will see who fits into the team and who doesn’t. But this also depends on what system the manager wants. That’s why I am happy to have both Laca and Auba as strikers. This gives the new manager options to work with from the get go.
Nice goal by Auba.
Per making an appearance to justify his paycheck. How nice of him.
Fekir to Liverpool for 70M according to RMC.
Good grief.
Cheering every Mertesacker touch. How cringe worthy.
Aulas saying
“We have had no contact with Liverpool today. @NabilFekir is here. We hope to keep him and have him playing the Champions League with us next year.”
Keita & Fekir would be just incredible for liverpool
Every fan loves football, it’s odd for someone to watch the game for 20 years with no allegiance.
Was going to say that. Odd someone who watched football for 30 years would take 20 years to pick a team to support. Me thinks Bam is lying again
Charlie More like you’d prefer not to discuss that silly recent assertion of yours, an assertion you made because you wanted to come to Wenger’s defense. As for your remark about a “20 year hiatus,” this only further highlights your misunderstanding of the situation. It seems to be your view that the first thing a football fan does is select his allegiance. No, Charlie, not everyone thinks that way. Some people just enjoy watching good football; allegiances come later (or never at all). Besides, who gives a shit? Everyone comes to support a team at some point for some reason.… Read more »
I wish auba would be more selfish. He’s already have a hat trick if he was and his short passing isn’t great anyway
Don’t see where Fekir fits into Liverpool. He has Arsenal written all over him
OK, Marko, I’ll just have to make it clear yet again that the only person lying here is you, mate.
We need to flush down the piece of shit Ozil next season. Kick him out to China if no top club is interested. Cannot afford to waste 350k per week on this overrated garbage. This team will easily come back to top 4 next season if new manager gets in a new keeper and couple of decent defenders.
Wenger has subjected Arsenal fans to a lot of pain and suffering over the years. He should be named and shamed. Not celebrated.
LOL welbz with almost goal of the season
999999mph off the bar from range
Per making an appearance to justify his paycheck. How nice of him
Some decision that. How much have we wasted over the years on those types of deals
If only we served this type of performance 50% of the time, if only.
China probably can’t afford ozil anymore since they introduced a 100% tax on transfer fees for foreign players this winter
Thanks for the memories Monsieur Wenger.
Thank God is over. They have no problem showing up today. Where have they been all season? What a bunch of joke players.
Fekir has to be at least £100 million in today’s market.
It seems to be your view that the first thing a football fan does is select his allegiance. No, Charlie, not everyone thinks that way. Some people just enjoy watching good football; allegiances come later (or never at all).
Yeah but not 20 bloody years.
Why don’t you scrutinize the biographies of some of our Asian or African posters?
You’re not being scrutinized because you’re American you’re scrutinized because you’re dishonest
Marko last night:
“Your original statement was that he wasn’t decisive in big games. You only added the shit about world cups and wagers because you’re that shameless.”
My original remark re Neymar:
“A [g]reat talent, but he won’t be a decisive player in the WC, IMO. He’ll generate a lot of talk, undoubtedly, but in the end he’ll come up short in the bigger games.”
Clearly my original remark WAS about the World Cup, and clearly Marko continues to deny this because he is a petty little twat.
ok now because you are a legend, with all due respect, pack your bags, clear out your desk and piss off you old goat.
Marko
Except that I’ve never been dishonest. Not once. You have, though, and you continue to be, and I have shown this just above.
Banford You’re digging in the archives because you’ve nothing to say, insecure as ever. Now you’re trying to low key signal Pedro because you feel victimised. What a joke. You snapped at Marko because he told you to shut up and stop lying, but here you are trying to tell me not to question a comment you fucking made? Good one dickhead. You’re not special, you’re just a mouthy oversharer on here so it’s easy to question your ridiculous comments. I’d question anyone who watched football for 20 years before picking a team. It’s odd. Your ‘not everyone is born… Read more »
We are 34 points below City, 11 points below Spuds 4th and 30 points above relegated Stoke.
What is there to thank Wenger for?
So there is still interest in the EPL in the last few matches with the two scum teams one more scummier than the other battling it out for the last CL place.
Really Spurs should not get into a panic and shit themselves as they have two remaining home games left against very beatable opposition and their home form is good. But how amusing if they did slip up. Would be a mega choke considering the matches they have left to play.
@Dissenter
“If only we served this type of performance 50% of the time, if only.”
___
Like I said before it’s not every week you play against a shit team at home.
Is this this balloon?
Cringy farewell jippo coming up.
Charlie
“because you’re a self appointed football sage”
You’re projecting, Charlie. I’ve never claimed to be any such thing. You on the other hand …
As I said before, Lacazette has to be used as a deeper-lying sidekick to Aubameyang, or not at all really.
Banford
Oh so you’ve never slapped someone down by stating you’ve been a student of the game for 30 years?
Do you know how long I’ve been a fan? Do you know where I went to school? Do you know what I do for a living?
Right, thought so..
Good retirement VA. Not often u have 50k people saying farewell @ retirement.
Btw Alice got some biceps
Mert’s turn.
Clearly my original remark WAS about the World Cup, and clearly Marko continues to deny this because he is a petty little twat. Listen you thick fuck you know and I know and everyone else knows the whole incident was about you saying that he wasn’t decisive in big games and you were shown to be wrong. You refuse to admit that and than you moved the goalposts of the original argument because you’re that dishonest. The fact you tried to tell Romford Pele about the incident in a different way makes you a liar. Look you’ve been had mate.… Read more »
“” He has dragged this club back to where he started. ”
Lol .. Still the most successful manager ever
Alone won more doubles then We have in our history ..
Glad your going but simply a legend
Nice ceremonies
The stadium is still jam packed.
Charlie
And by the way, “oversharer”? I would never have said a single thing about my background if dickheads like you hadn’t insisted that I do so. Just as you are doing above.
Any invincible here? Campbell?
I think something is wrong with Marko. It seems he can’t read the words that are placed right in front of my face. My original comment is above, guy. And I pasted it in three times last night.
And you and Charlie are the ones who made this about me. I didn’t. I was just defending myself.
Everyone can see my original remark; and everyone can see that you are the dishonest one here.
Banford
Oh so its other peoples fault that you’ve shared so much on here? haha wow, did you bet that excuse from one of the kids you teach?
As I said before, Lacazette has to be used as a deeper-lying sidekick to Aubameyang, or not at all really.
Allegri might use them in tandem. He uses Higuain and Dybala to good effect
Hard not to be touched
Now that’s he’s gone
All my bitterness is gone.
All the best for everything. It’s just a game after all.
I love how they’re trying to play the sympathy card now. I’m not buying it.
Steve
He’s gone.
Let’s historians do the rest.
Banford
Ok this Neymar thing is getting dumb..
The discussion started about the World Cup, but after you mentioned you didn’t think Neymar would be a tournament standout the conversation went to critiquing him as a footballer, period. It was at that point your credibility took a nose dive, and apparently you’re still keen to plummet further.
useroz
Yes Sol is there as well as Mad Jens!
Everyone can see my original remark; and everyone can see that you are the dishonest one here.
Bam I’ve quoted you it was about the player being decisive in big games. You then started by saying that scoring goals and assists in big games doesn’t prove that. You also said shite originally about finals and semi-finals and classicos and was then given evidence of his decisiveness in such games but it still wasn’t enough. Look everyone’s drawn their own conclusions on the matter the people have spoken you’re a dickhead seems to be the general consensus
Some players disappeared down the tunnel before the lap of honour??
This is probably why we will be a big draw to any manager. The appreciation of the fans, however qualified it may be for some, was authentic.
That’s why Arsenal will always be a classy club.
Can all parties invested in this Neymar nonsense just cease hostilities?
You’re all clogging up the place with pettiness.
Some dickhead fans giving Thierry shit for not being there.
No matter that he was required to be at the etihad commentating for Sky.
Yeah can someone out of CC, Marko or Bamford put a line under this please.
It’s getting beyond tedious.
Honest enough to admit I shed a tear. Extremely glad he’s gone but I became a fan in 97 so he’s been a mainstay in my life for all 22 years of my serious footballing supporting life
For better or worse that’s a big deal
Fvcking Neymar and his fanboys lol
Liking the look of Mavro, a real no nonsense defender built like a tank, those Burnley players are going to feel it in the morning.
As he gains confidence his passing game is no doubt going to improve as well. Finally a youngster to get excited about again, although it’s still early days.
Ishola/Dissenter
Have a word with Banford, he’s the one flogging a dead horse.
I wonder when we will make the top 4 again.
Sorry Henry should have been there….100%
The Liverpool pundit contingent wouldn’t have been absent if the shoe were on the other foot.
His bosses would understand why he didn’t show up since he got the pundit job based on the opportunity that Wenger gave him.
Henry messed up big time.
It’s not like Vierra who works for a city off-shore thousands of miles away.
Yeah can someone out of CC, Marko or Bamford put a line under this please.
I did but then he changed the narrative and wanted an apology.
Also yeah let’s all draw a big line under it but let’s bring up Xhaka being shite for the millionth time or debate Ramsey once again or let’s talk about Ozil again. Yeah get a grip you’re pissed off the neymar shite is taking up space again? It’s just going to be replaced by some of the other same shite we talk about before
Great post Pete – touched on all of the memories good and bad. Forgot about sign da ting but will forever remember the next level…is the next level is the next level. Good sendoff for what has been a long strrange ride.