Arsenal’s majority shareholder Stan Kroenke has released a statement in light of Arsene Wenger’s decision to step down as Arsenal manager this summer.
“This is 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 Arsène has brought to the club on and off the pitch.
“His longevity and consistency over such a sustained period at the highest level of the game will never be matched.
“Arsène has unparalleled class and we will always be grateful to him. Everyone who loves Arsenal and everyone who loves football owes him a debt of gratitude.
“Three Premier League titles, including an entire season unbeaten, seven FA Cup triumphs and 20 successive years in the Champions League is an exceptional record. He has also transformed the identity of our club and of English football with his vision for how the game can be played.
“We have high ambitions to build on Arsène’s remarkable tenure and to honour his vision by ensuring that Arsenal competes for and wins the biggest and most important prizes in the game.
“We must now focus on making a strong finish to the season and ask our millions of fans around the world to join us in paying appropriate tribute to one of the greats of Arsenal’s history and one of the greats of the game.”
The club have also made clear that no comment will be made on the selection process for a replacement:
“Arsène will lead the team to the end of the season and we will make an appointment as soon as possible. The club will not be making any further comment on the selection process until an appointment is made.”
Ivan Gazidis is expected to hold a press conference this evening at 5pm at which further details should emerge.
We’ll also have an emergency Arsecast later this afternoon/evening, depending on what happens and when.
Thank you god for making this happen, I can’t take any more of the shit we’ve been serving up this season.
Pack it in. Damned if you do damned if you dont. Persistent misery even when you get what you want.
Get a life.
Will you die if a new manager starts to give you even more shit? Just asking
Wenger’s replacement is Viera or Henry. The two are right now tightly considered on which one is it to replace Wenger. By the time one is announced I’ll reveal how I got my information.
God, but I fooking hope not.
Vieira manages an MLS team. If you’ve not watched any MLS, I suggest you tolerate it a bit. It is abysmal football. And being a great player doensn’t make one a good or even competent manager. And Henry is an asshole. He’s shown that over again. I want him nowhere near the manager’s role.
Henry’s not an asshole in the same way as Wright isn’t an asshole.
Piers Morgan is an asshole.
From The Daily Star?
he can talk?
I’ve heard you eat pieces of shit for breakfast
Sad sad day for this football club. To all those whom were there before Arsene Wenger we could have become Everton FC, they used to be good aswell, instead Arsense transformed the club and we saw many a great team whom commentators swooned about and then he topped it off with the Invincibles, If it wasn’t for the Petro dollars we would have still been there or thereabouts but one thing is the man has principles, he cared about the state of the finances he didnt want us to become a Leeds United(they were good as well ) so he… Read more »
Win -Win for Arsene Wenger and Arsenal . A winner to the last .
I think this is what has left him angry. Not your post, but the point you make about petroleum dollars. It’s like Wenger trying to play a game and then some idiot comes along and beats him using cheatcodes.
He was let down by the authorities over Financial Fair Play. Killed him.
And Leicester city winning PL.
The most sense I’ve read today, fans old enough to remember pre-AW know what he’s done for the club and the game.
The decisions been made now it’s over to the players to perform for the guy who had faith in them and deliver a European trophy which would be a fitting send off.
When my sister died I sent out two emails to Arsenal and Manchester United for my nephews ( One was a fan of each club.) A week later my nephew received a handwritten letter from Arsene Wenger, in which he said amongst many things, “ I know you’re going through a very difficult time right now but you must be strong. We here at Arsenal are thinking of you during this very difficult time”… he even sent a signed photo of the team. He is the classiest manager ever. Right now, in this moment, nothing else matters. … didn’t hear… Read more »
This…is…so…beautiful. What a beautiful man we have as a manager. I started aupporting the club at 7 years old. I turned 29 two months ago. I have only ever known Arsene. And what a thing that has been, his class, his teams and most of all the total respect all his former players had for him. I did not have the best relationship with my father but I always imagined Arsene to be a great father figure, and his players confirmed it. It was incredibly sad to see all those players he stuck by and developed leave him, it was… Read more »
His record is there for all to see – his achievements – 1 trophy on average every 2 years , the only unbeaten season record in the PL history , one of the very best stadiums in the country and an example to all on how to behave ….. if there is anybody currently who can achieve half of this for Arsenal , then Arsenal will be the luckiest club around .
Choose a home game and I will make this happen but you obviously need to contact me.
Blogs , can you make this happen as you have both of our e-mail addresses ?
Who in their right mind negged this?
what a great story. Sorry to hear about your sister.
I found this on my Facebook feed and I think it sums up the man nicely:
? Arsene Wenger at Arsenal:
??????????????? PL MOTM
??????? FA Cup
??????? Community Shield
??? Premier League Manager of the Year
??? Premier League
? World Manager of the Year
? Legend.
See I haven’t been commenting here for awhile because of the poisonous atmosphere thats everywhere arsenal. But this here Stonroy is something else. Thanks for sharing. Thank you really just affirms why I fell in love with this club and man. Hope that letter touched those little ones in a way he ment it to. Victory in harmony don’t ever forget.
That’s beautiful my friend.
Honestly, Arsene is a legend and a gentleman, and a god damn amazing human being. Yes, i’m part of the persons who think we needed a change already, but thats due to managerial things, but not me and I think none Arsenal fan, should ever, EVER, put in doubt all the great things he has done for us, and the amazing person he is, and how lucky we were to have him.
Guy’s a legend and always will be, class personalized he is.
Can we have an sculpture of the guy already? please?
An Arsenal legend — this will become clearer over the next 2-3 years .
Spot on.
Good one mate. I have loads more respect for guys who stay true to their feelings about Wenger than all you fake respect arseholes who have been abusing and demanding his departure for years and in the most disrespectful manner possible suddenly turning around to pretend to be sad that he’s stepping down. Spare me your fake respect. I am sad he’s going because I’ve never wanted it to end like this and I hoped he would see out this final contract to the end and then leave. But I absolutely cannot stand the crocodile tears so many of the… Read more »
wait….I think the bigger picture here is you can hate arsene and still see what he did for us. If Tobin hates arsene then good for him, but to refuse to even acknowledge what Arsene did for Arsenal because he does not want to be a “pretender” as you put it is weird. Nothing honorable there. Even Mourinho, someone who absolutely hated Arsene and tore into him almost every opportunity he had issued a class statement about the man. Mourinho….think about it. Nothing honorable in blind hatred. Insult him if you must but give him his dues. And nobody should… Read more »
No, sorry. Wrong as rain here pal. If you “hate Arsene Wenger” than you probably have a fucking screw loose.
Emergency Arsecast Haaaa! You pulling out all the stops. And how did the first comment get by you blogs. On a day like this such shit shouldnt be let through. I come from a culture if you want to rely appreciate someone for serving up one sumptuous meals you say “mameina”. For now as I collect my thoughts and put together a farewell message for my online father. Mameina Arsene.
Short memory you ungrateful wanker
I do wank won’t deny buy ungrateful! Nooooooh that’s not Me sir
Not God but Arsene Wenger made the decision . Thank Arsene Wenger .
You should be ashamed of yourself. I think there is room for quite a bit of self improvement you can make. Take a good look at what you wrote.
Although this news made my day, I still made an unscheduled visit to my local to toast Arsene Wenger. Now is not the time for spiteful or rude comments. let us hope that he gets the proper send-off he deserves, and shame on anyone who disagrees.
You made your point, now it’s time to show a bit of respect. It is time for him to step down I agree but the problems at Arsenal run far deeper than our manager. Until we have seen the back of people like Stan the man and Ivan and replaced them with proper *football* people don’t go expecting too much to change.
There’s one changing leopard for you, Blogs 🙂 I hope this galvanizes the fan base until the end of season. Trying to get a ticket for the WHU game, seems impossible, Emirates will be full!
I must have logged in a bit late yesterday, was on at 9.40 still didn’t get a ticket for atletico, just gonna be trying ticket exchange every day, there for west ham and Burnley, hopefully we do see a full emirates for all 3 and give Arsene the send off he deserves
Statue is a must.
Wengerdome for me. Screw the Emirates sponsorship.
Yes please
Wengerdome will be more of a tribute to his father
Nothing we can do about the sponsorship and official name. For now.
But we can all start referring to it and calling it the Arsene Wenger stadium till it catches on.
Personally I’ll never call it any other name again.
And how nice would it be if they have his statue out before his final game!
Legend — only Xenophobes would vote against
Good times ahead!
Good times means 2 trophies one a PL or CL – in 3 years … anything less is going back
So Silent Stan is now scripted Stan. Please fuck off too and take Gazidis with you.
Thank you Arsene Wenger
QUESTION FOR THE BLOG – Is this the result of fans staying away from home matches, the truly poor league position this year, or has it always been planned from the end of last year?
Would not be surprised if it was planned from last summer, or just a result of our failure to compete this year.
I’d say it seems more of a prelude statement to us finding the right replacement.
Wenger was OK to go 2 seasons ago but we didn’t have a replacement or the setup to bring one in
I think it’s the fact that we have had our worst League season under the manager since he took over. Last season was a bit of a mess too. It could be that they gave him one last chance to try and turn it around but it seems that he couldn’t
No disrespect, I’m just looking at the situation objectively.
Taking the emotion away from it, I think you’re right. We can say it was always planned, but had huge strides been taken in the league and we finished second with a europa league trophy I think he would have stayed.
You have to take the emotion away from it. If you don’t you end up stuck in a rut. Sure, he brought a lot to the club but the time has long come for him to step down.
I am super excited about what the future holds and it feels like a massive weight has been lifted off of the club. Like the shackles have been removed.
QUESTION FOR THE BLOG – Is this the result of fans staying away from home matches, the truly poor league position this year, or has it always been planned from the end of last year?
Anxiously waiting to download that emergency arsecast
Whatever happens now, Kroenke & Co’s deflector has gone.
Time to be shown up for the S**T this board really is.
When Stan talked about the millions of “our fans around the world” he had me thinking, arsenal fans or do the kroenkes have millions of fans around the world?
What Stan REALLY meant was this: “When I bought the club, this Wenger guy seemed to be doing a decent job and was making me money – so I decided to leave things as they were. “I know nothing about soccer, or football as you Brits call it, so even though this Frenchman had lost the plot years ago I didn’t step in to remove him. Last year, when Ivan Gazidis advised me to get rid of Wenger I stupidly ignored him and gave Arsene a new deal – boy, do I feel dumb now! “Seeing all those empty seats,… Read more »
No feelings of sadness at losing our greatest ever manager?
No, because his time was up. He should have gone a few years ago.
I’m quite excited to be honest
I imagine after a couple of poor results the excitement will be over
No. Sport is brutal and ruthless. Wenger was finished years ago and should have been replaced. IN SPORT YOU CAN’T LIVE IN THE PAST!!!
The first decade of Wenger was glorious; the second an embarrassment. Hopefully we can now get back to being a world class football club.
Read too many battle quotes and think they apply to sport?
Remind me again Fats: who made the Arsenal into a world-class football club?
A guy called Herbert Chapman. You’ve probably never heard of him.
Wenger made Arsenal a world class football club – the next manager will at best repeat what AW has done — he will need to win the CL .
Faty how have you been, it’s been ages I miss you fat load. Nice to have you back and to see your nasty posts again I hate them and I like them at the same time.?
Even though I hate Kroenke, ur post is of poor taste
Nice new Avatar pic tho 🙂
Remind me Fats: who made the Arsenal onto a world-class football club?
That is low Fats even by your standards.
You’ve got your wish , now be gone forever and join the Stoke Orcsblog
Get Arsene on the board, we shouldn’t lose that wisdom.
I really like the idea of Wenger somehow being involved in the club but the best thing he can do for his successor is to simply go away for a period of time. Otherwise the shadow of Wenger will constantly be looming over the next guy. Give it a year or two and then bring him back.
Under no circumstances whatsoever. A recipe for disaster all round.
There might be a vacancy at PSG and that would seem to me an obvious fit.
Nooooooooooooo!!!!
Still feels weird, like I’m in a state of shock. As sad as it is you have to say the timing could end up being perfect, hopefully inspiring the players to finish the season on a high. It will also give us a nice period to celebrate the man and praying he can ride off in style
I wonder what secretary wrote that for him. Sorry, but the last person I wanted to hear from was that guy. He’s let Wenger take years of crap for this club, when all the indifference and lack of vision and drive came from his desk. Wenger was always loyal and protected the people “above” him.
Can’t wait to read that book, Monsieur Wenger.
It’s a testament to your class that you lasted this long, and always stood up and took the punches. A true gentleman. True class. Regardless of the results.
I can’t wait for Arsene autobiography to come out now that he is leaving… For all the incredible memories, there are some ridiculous decisions made that were puzzling as f**k…
As much as this board has been slated, I feel they have done the right thing over the last couple of years. They realised that Wengs is too deeply rooted in the club to simply be removed. Came up with a plan to alleviate him of his responsibilities over a couple of years. Brought in new staff and structure, ie appointing a director of a football, coaches and scouts. We will only know a few more years down the line if enough has been done to make a new managerial appointment as seemless as possible. We have seen other big… Read more »
I know some of you just hate this man but those at stadium please ensure that you guys give him a send off that he deserves. Please don’t boo even if we loose. Thanks. ?
Got a feeling all the people who are delighted and think we’ll win the league now are in for a rude awakening next season.
Everyone who thinks that respecting Wenger and that it is the right time for him to move on are mutually exclusive needs to get their head checked. I am proud to have seen Arsene leading us for so long, winning trophies and titles along the way, but the truth is that, as Wenger himself has realised, it is time for someone else to take the helm. As a club we have stagnated for too long; we have not been competitive in the league for years, watching teams like Sp*rs and Liverpool rise up from below us. The last three FA… Read more »
Still feels surreal reading this statement. Farewell, Monsieur Wenger, and thanks for your service to Arsenal. Please win the Europa League and leave on a high. Fingers crossed.
Only thing appropriate thing for the board to do is have Wenger Jesus Christ Pose statues in the away section permanently.
I’ve got that can’t think, just got punched in the gut feeling. Whatever your view on it, it’s just not going to be the same without Arsene. I hope he stays on with the club in some capacity. It would kill me to see him manage elsewhere.
I wish he goes off to PSG and wins the Champions League there. I wish he could prove us all wrong and have the last laugh.
Another thing to add, guessing Wenger didn’t jump, he was pushed. Remember “Not Director of Football”?
Thanks k you for everything, Arsene. As a 20-year old “foreign” Arsenal fan, I cannot tell you enough the impact you and the club have on people like me on a daily basis. I have never seen an Arsenal without Arsene. A man who has exuded class, decency, respect, and consistency. You’re the biggest reason why even the most diehard rival fans have respect for our club. You have given Arsenal some of its biggest legends, moments, and most importantly – its identity. I know the last few years weren’t the greatest, but they will do nothing to diminish the… Read more »
Agree with everything other than the bit about “also drag the club down” because Arsene or no Arsene, Arsenal’s inherent immortality can never EVER be dragged down come what may. ?
As much as I dislike Kroenke, that’s sums it up very well
I will miss him :’-( a lot!
This is the correct decision and I will never forget our Le Prof!
Now, I want us to win the Europa League even more! Come on boys, I want us to destroy Athletico, and destroy the finalists too. I want our players to play better than they have ever played before! It’s time we win this Cup and give it literally everything!
You will be missed Le Prof 🙁
Thanx for the wonderful memories.
I have a feeling:
Wenger –> PSG
Tuchel –> Arsenal
Luis Enrique –> Hawaii
John Terry – > Hell
‘Three Premier League titles, including an entire season unbeaten, seven FA Cup triumphs and 20 successive years in the Champions League is an exceptional record. He has also transformed the identity of our club and of English football with his vision for how the game can be played.’
We have been spoilt (though some don’t realise it).
Think about how it’s been to be a Sp*rs fan instead, how much have they won in that time?
That’s like saying “Yeah, you stubbed your toe, but imagine if you had terminal cancer”. I will not compare our club in any way to that lot. The fact that sp*rs fans have had it worse than us for 20 years is a given. They’re sp*rs fans. They could win the league .. ehm.. eventually.. and they’d still just be sp*rs fans.
The reason you are able to honestly say that you will not compare Arsenal to Spurs can be defined in one word, Wenger
As exciting as this news is, I can’t help but feel a little depressed and sad for him. He has done so much good for the club, wish it didn’t have to end like this. Thank you for your service Mr .Wenger
A truly unique human being who loved and gave his all for our club. He has left us some fantastic memory’s and a great stadium. Let’s give him the send off he deserves so he can leave with our love and support ringing in his ears. Thank you Mr Wenger.
yes it was time for a change but us older gooners remember the days before he came he single handly brought the club into the 21st century his tenure has ensured the future of club and he should be remembered for the good he achieved, now we have to hope the board make the correct appointment to continue on the foundations that Arsene has built. we know this season has been difficult but i can see the shoots of a new Era as it was back in 1996 following the success of another great manager GG. Thank you Arsene for… Read more »
The single positive I can take from this sad day for our club, is that the owners and decision-makers will finally take full responsibility for the state our club is in from now on. No more hiding behind Arsene. Personally, I have no trust in them to bring in the right man or – more importantly – cough up the funds necessary to compete with our rivals properly.
Hey James now that Arsene has decided to go you can renew renew those vows
Can I just say Stewart Robson is a total waste of space and air. Even on the day of his announcement Robson is still whinging and moaning. Yes it was time for him to go but now’s the time to celebrate the positives of what he’s done not whining your balls off at every conceivable moment ads nauseum. That man is one bitter fucker
Always loyal. In Wenger we trust!
Though true about wengers legacy that’s a pre scripted statement from someone else in the board, kronke don’t know much apart from our finances so he can build his multi mega stadium in the USA. He’s our real problem & while we’re under his greedy hands, we’ll never reach our clubs full potential.
is this the first time “ambition” has passed Kroenke’s lips?
Wenger has been at arsenal over half og my life. I have loved Wenger. And i suppose i have not hated, but at least been very critical of him at times. I have looked forward to this day for a while. But man it sucked when it came around.
Clearly, Wenger met his targets: 1.a first 4 finish, .2 managing club finances well and 3. Bringing up young lads. Kroenke, now, must set even a higher standard (winning titles)for the next coach and give him all the necessary support. Fans can’t settle for less anymore
Let me be probably not the first to say: Fuck you, Stan Kroenke. You’ll be hearing a lot more of it in the near future if you don’t shape up, now that Arsene isn’t going to be around to shield you any more.
That is very soild point indeed.
Sad day but inevitable. A fantastic manager for the club with still an impressive haul of trophies. 7 FAcups, 3 titles, one unbeaten season, potentially a europa But one who has also transformed the game and how its played both at Arsenal and with the league as a whole. Lets not forget as well he did it on a shoe string until recently and bought some gems. And he successfully converted many into new roles where they flourished – Henry, Kolo, Santi, Arteta to name a few. That they announced it now may mean – 1) They already have someone… Read more »
Nah nah. You’re not getting me again.
Stan Kroenke has made a statement…
Arseblog and his spoof articles. Peh.
Finishing below the Spuds got to him ?
Just this evening I was arranging a visit to be at the Emirate stadium and hoping to watch the Gunners any time after August 2018, when it would be convenient and auspicious for meme. Then, the statement by Stan Kroenke has shattered any such plan. Maybe I should say, the plan is put on hold because I am a Gunner for life.
Arsene Wenger has done for Arsenal Football Club and game what no other Manager has achieved.
Bless you.
Arsene may have unparalleled class, Stan Kroenke has no class