Tag Arsene WengerArsenal FC

Values
London, May 10, 2018 (Reuters/NAN) Arsene Wenger used his farewell news conference as Arsenal manager on Thursday to urge his successor to “respect the values of the club”.

The Frenchman departs after a final game at Huddersfield Town on Sunday and was in reflective mood as he contemplated his 22 years in charge.

Speculation is intensifying over who his successor will be with British media reporting that Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri and former Arsenal captains Mikel Arteta and Patrick Vieira among leading contenders.

Asked for his advice to the new man, Wenger said: “Respect the values of the club. I would like him to bring his own ideas.

“It’s a chance for the players to see something different. But, on the other hand, I will say respect what has been built here.”

In spite of his many achievements, Wenger will depart on a low with Arsenal losing a seventh consecutive away game on Wednesday, 3-1 at Leicester City

It was their worst run in more than half-a-century.

On Sunday, Arsenal are looking to end their embarrassing record of being the only side in the top four tiers of English football not to pick up an away point this year.

Wenger, however, still believes the club is in good shape for his successor.

“The players’ attitude was great last night,” said Wenger. “They were fantastic. There is a special bond in this team.

“There is something waiting to come out that is special. Hopefully that will come out next season.”

Wenger said he is unsure about his immediate plans, but has been linked with a position as general manager at Paris St Germain (PSG).

“When you stay for such a long period, you question if it is time to go now or not,” he said.

“We live in a society where people want big change always, you know. I don’t know what I will do. Maybe go to Russia.

“I have some work to do in France (next week) on Monday, Tuesday. On Thursday, I will come back and clear my office. After that, I don’t know.”

Wenger also used the occasion to look back, saying that while he considered his 2004 ‘Invincibles’ team the best of his reign, he was at his most productive between 2006-2015.

The ‘Invincibles’ went through the 2004-2005 season unbeaten. (Reuters/NAN)
KIA/OLAL
=========
(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

Wenger

London, April 20, 2018 (Reuters/NAN) Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger is to leave at the end of the season after a reign of almost 22 years that made him the most successful boss in Arsenal’s history.

“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,” the Frenchman said in a statement issued by the Gunners on Friday.

Wenger, 68, has been with the North Londoners since October 1996 and is by far the longest-serving current manager in English soccer.

Arsenal are currently a distant sixth in the league but are in the semi-finals of the Europa League, which represents their only realistic route to the Champions League next season.

“I am grateful for having had the privilege to serve the club for so many memorable years.

“I managed the club with full commitment and integrity,” said Wenger, who urged the fans to stand behind the team to end the season on a high.

Arsenal’s majority owner Stan Kroenke said it was “one of the most difficult days we have ever had in all our years in sport.

“One of the main reasons we got involved with Arsenal was because of what Arsene has brought to the club on and off the pitch,” he said.

“His longevity and consistency over such a sustained period at the highest level of the game will never be matched.”

Wenger won three Premier League titles, including going unbeaten for an entire season, seven FA Cups and took Arsenal into the Champions League for 20 years in a row.

They won the league and FA cup double in 1998 and 2002.

The club said a successor would be appointed as soon as possible with German Thomas Tuchel, out of work since leaving Borussia Dortmund almost a year ago, installed as the early bookmakers’ favourite. (Reuters/NAN)

KIA/MUYI/MZA

============

Edited by Muhyideen Jimoh/Maharazu Ahmed

NAN-S-12
Confidence
London, Feb. 16, 2018 (Reuters/NAN) Long-serving Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is hopeful of seeing out his current two-year contract at the English Premier League club amid speculation about his future.

The Frenchman signed a new contract at Arsenal at the end of last season but the club have shown little progress this term.

They sit sixth in the league, knocked out of the English FA Cup and unsure of UEFA Champions League qualification for next season.

The club’s inconsistent performance has led to speculation that Wenger’s 22-year reign could come to an end after the current season.

“I have always respected my contracts,’’ Wenger, 68, said.

“I will like to recall that I said `no’ to all the biggest clubs in the world to respect my contract. So, that’s always what I try to do.

“After that, we have as well to accept in our job that the future is the future. But, for me, that’s to win the next game.

“We have to perform better in every single game and show until the end of the season a complete hunger to win every single game. That’s what it’s about for us.”

Arsenal’s best chances of winning a trophy remain in the English League Cup, as they face Manchester City in the final on Feb. 25.

They are also in the UEFA Europa League, where they recorded a 3-0 win over Ostersunds in the first leg of their last 32 tie on Thursday.

The Europa League is also Arsenal’s most viable option to qualify for the UEFA Champions League next season.

The eight-point gap to fourth-placed Chelsea in the league appears insurmountable with 11 games left to play.(Reuters/NAN)
KIA/OLAL
=========

(Edited by Olawale Alabi)