Advertisement
Gary Neville challenges Cesc Fabregas. PA Archive/PA Images
trailblazer

'He played football that made us change the way we played against them'

Gary Neville and others in the footballing world have paid tribute to the departing Arsenal boss.

Updated at 18.25

PREMIER LEAGUE MANAGERS and former players showered praise on Arsene Wenger on Friday after the Frenchman announced he was stepping down from the Arsenal hotseat at the end of the season.

The 68-year-old has won three Premier League titles and a record seven FA Cups during his near 22-year stint at Arsenal, but recent seasons have seen rising discontent among the fans as the club have failed to challenge for the Premier League.

Here is some of the reaction to today’s announcement of his departure…

- Tony Adams, Wenger’s captain when Arsenal won the Premier League and FA Cup ‘double’ in 1997/98 had no doubt about his old boss’s place in the London club’s history.

“Thanks for everything Arsene. Move over Herbert (Chapman), Arsene Wenger the greatest Arsenal Manager,” Adams wrote on Instagram.

- Thierry Henry, Arsenal’s all-time leading goalscorer who was signed by Wenger, praised the manager’s ability to inspire players and said he hoped the current side would now go on to win the Europa League — the club are in the semi-finals.

“He used to make you believe you were the best player in the world,” Henry told Sky Sports. “Let’s not get lost in celebrating the end of his era. The team has to win the Europa League, it would be an amazing achievement and Arsene has never won in Europe before, so it would be a great way to give him a good exit.

- Spain’s Cesc Fabregas, the former Arsenal midfielder now at Chelsea, thanked Wenger for being a “father figure” to him as a young footballer.

“I will never forget his guidance and support, his tutelage and mentorship. He had faith in me from day one and I owe him a lot, he was like a father figure to me who always pushed me to be the best,” Fabregas wrote on Instagram alongside a photograph of himself listening to Wenger as a young Arsenal player. “Arsene, you deserve all the respect and happiness in the world. #classact”

- Former Manchester United and England defender Gary Neville said Wenger deserved a fitting send-off after a glittering career.

“Arsene Wenger built the best teams that I played against in English Football,” he tweeted. “The ’98 team was Amazing. The biggest compliment is that he played football that made us change the way we played against them.”

- Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said he was “surprised” at the news.

“He was the dominating guy in mid-1990s, 2000s,” Klopp said at his Friday press conference. “It is different now because we have to challenge but in Germany he was a big role model,” added the German.

- Arsenal’s major shareholder Stan Kroenke, whose steadfast support of Wenger angered many fans, was unstinting in his praise for the Frenchman.

“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,” Kroenke said in a statement. “He has also transformed the identity of our club and of English football with his vision for how the game can be played.”

- Former Arsenal midfielder Stuart Robson said Wenger ought to have quit long before now.

“Wenger should have gone many years ago,” Robson said on BBC radio. “You can’t take away the good things. When he came he changed the philosophy of Arsenal. He was fantastic in that period but like a lot of dictators they think they are going down the right road but even when people are saying you need to change, he wouldn’t change.”

The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!

Rodgers ‘couldn’t be happier’ at Celtic as Arsenal speculation mounts>

Liverpool to return to Dublin for glamour friendly this summer>

Your Voice
Readers Comments
3
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

    Leave a commentcancel