Arsene Wenger leaves Arsenal: Fans react as manager of 22 years announces departure
Arsene Wenger’s announcement that he will leave Arsenal has sent fans – well some – on social media into meltdown.
Wenger, 68, will step down once the season ends having won a number of honours with the north London club.
But discontent has grown in recent seasons after not having lifted the Premier League title since 2004, making his role seem increasingly untenable.
READ MORE: Arsene Wenger to leave Arsenal after 22 years in charge
READ MORE: Arsene Wenger steps down as Arsenal manager – The Frenchman’s greatest quotes
READ MORE: Arsene Wenger’s honours as manager of Arsenal
The Frenchman has finally decided enough is enough, though, and social media exploded at the news.
Here are some of the best and worst fan, celebrity and former pro reactions.
SPOILER ALERT: It will almost certainly include comments by or references to Piers Morgan.
What a way to kick it off…
If Arsenal wish to uphold the proud tradition of having a manager whose name is pretty much the same as the club, hard to see past Senol Gunes replacing Arsène Wenger. If anything, the surname makes him more qualified.
— Rory Smith (@RorySmith) April 20, 2018
‘Wenger built the best teams’ – Neville
Arsene Wenger built the best teams that I played against in English Football .The 98 team was Amazing.The biggest compliment is that he played football that made us change the way we played against them. He now deserves the most incredible send off from all in the coming weeks.
— Gary Neville (@GNev2) April 20, 2018
Woof. Opta on Wenger’s Champions League woes
86 – Arsene Wenger has won the most Champions League matches (86 – excluding qualifiers) without having ever won the competition. Frustration. pic.twitter.com/UIRbcF1CEE
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 20, 2018
We all struggle with change…
Me hearing that Wenger is stepping down pic.twitter.com/U4AShpufH0
— Paddy (@VieiraPaddy) April 20, 2018
Winter on Wenger
I spoke to a 25-year-old Arsenal supporter whose parents had separated when he was very young. He said he’d never met Wenger but would always be grateful to Wenger because he was the only stable male figure in his life. Wenger was a constant. 9/10
— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) April 20, 2018
Wenger for… Rodgers?!
When Arsene Wenger finally leaves but then you see Brendan Rodgers is the bookies favourite pic.twitter.com/zxDLL8gl20
— GRM Daily (@GRMDAILY) April 20, 2018
Michael Scott on Wenger
My reaction to Arsene Wenger saying his leaving arsenal! Nooooooooooo #MUFC pic.twitter.com/zEiMHEp8uZ
— Olly Murs (@ollyofficial) April 20, 2018
I guess the real sadness in all this is that Piers Morgan will be happy.
— Romesh Ranganathan (@RomeshRanga) April 20, 2018
‘He has given much to the game’ – Lineker
Arsene Wenger is to leave @Arsenal at the end of the season. He has given much of his life to Arsenal. He has brought much success to the club. He has given much to the game of football in our country. Merci et bonne chance, Monsieur Wenger. #Wenger
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) April 20, 2018
Say it ain’t so?
The golden era of @ArsenalFanTV is officially over. #wenger
— Simon Johnson (@sjstandardsport) April 20, 2018
Probably not entirely inaccurate…
Prediction: Arsenal fans will soon have persuaded themselves that the Emirates remained a bower of love and affection for their greatest manager, that nobody ever carried a Wenger Out sign or screamed abuse at him and that it was the media that did for him.
— Oliver Holt (@OllieHolt22) April 20, 2018
That would be quite the controversy…
Just imagine Arsene Wenger gets see all the mushy love and emotion Arsenal fans are showing him and decides to withdraw his statement and stay for just two more seasons. #MercieArsene
— Kelvin Odanz (@KelvinOdanz) April 20, 2018
Oh good, some tongue-in-cheek, too…
Thanks for the memories Mr Wenger!#BCFC #KRO pic.twitter.com/ljWEJz6TPS
— BCFC Followers (@bcfcfollowers) April 20, 2018
And, of course, Corbyn.
Arsène Wenger, thank you for all the achievements, over such a long period, for the club I love.
Three Premier League titles, the unbeaten season, a record breaking seven FA Cups and revolutionising the English game. https://t.co/2jWgUsY9Nf
— Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) April 20, 2018
