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Full text of Arsene Wenger’s farewell speech

Published

7 years ago

May 7, 2018

Arsene Wenger took charge of his final home match on Sunday.
The long-serving boss was given a guard of honour ahead of the Gunners’ 5-0 win over Burnley at the Emirates, which secured them sixth spot in the league.

Wenger, 68, ended his day with a direct address to the still-packed home stands at the Emirates, after receiving a long chorus of “One Arsene Wenger” from the club’s supporters, who were each given a ‘Merci Arsene’ t-shirt.

“Thank you every much. Before I start, I just want to wish my fellow manager Alex Ferguson well. Thank you for having me for such a long time. I know that’s not easy.

“But above all, I am like you, I am an Arsenal fan. This is more than just watching football, it’s a way of life. It’s caring about the beautiful game, about the values we cherish, and as well, that something that goes for all our bodies in every cell of our bodies. We care, we worry, we are desperate, but when you come here, the theatre of dreams we realise what it means.

“I would like as well to thank everyone at the club who makes it so special, I would invite you, really push, support these players and the staff who remains behind me, these group of players has a special quality. Not only on the pitch, but off the pitch. Please, as you follow this team, support them next season because they deserve it.

“I would like to finish in one simple sentence: I will miss you. Thank you all for having such an important part of my life, thank you all, well done, bye bye,” Wenger said.