Merci Arsene!

Arsene Wenger, the legendary Arsenal manager announced the he will be departing at the end of this season. The man who won us 3 league titles, 7 FA Cups, a Champions League final, and designed a brand new stadium, while giving us outstanding players, mesmerizing football, and sticking with us through difficult times. He kept us in in the UEFA Champions League for 19 seasons , which is simply amazing, considering the caliber of players he sometimes had to put up with. All the while, he had offers which would have made any other manager drop everything and leave, but Arsene decided to stick with us. His love for the club was simply unparalleled and unquestionable. His dedication and commitment to the club is unrivalled in modern football. He has taken "Boring boring Arsenal" to a new level, built a superclub, which can sustain itself financially, all the while not compromising results.

His achievements at the club will never be forgotten, and his influence at the club will continue to live on, even generations after him. Arsene and Arsenal were a match made in heaven, according to former vice-chairman David Dein.  It has been a superb love story, and has had some amazing highs, and also some inevitable lows. In spite of everything falling apart around him at certain points of time, he managed to steer the ship that is Arsenal FC and brought it into safe waters. Every Arsenal fan adores him, and fondly remembers him and respects him.

Arsenal has always been synonymous with class on and off the pitch, and Arsene Wenger only complemented it. He never stooped down to the levels of some of his opponents, who had mouths, but not brains. He carried out his operations with dignity, and was a father figure to many players and staff at the club. He was brave enough to be ambitious, he protected his players, he did anything and everything in his power to help the club and the staff.

His press conferences were unconventional, and journalists would ask him for his opinions on matters of politics, other sports, even food and wine. He was not afraid to lie to the press when he felt he needed to protect a player. He even helped George Weah become the President of Liberia, and gave him guidance. He has provided mentorship to ex-players to become coaches, and earn their badges.

It had come to a point where Arsene Wenger meant Arsenal Football Club, and AFC meant Wenger. Both were so intertwined, that separation was never thought of. He became so ingrained at the club, that all the decisions were taken with his inputs. He did have a fantastic boss in David Dein, but that ended when Stan Kroenke entered the club ownership. After losing Dein, he had to fill in both roles, and he did it perfectly well, considering the resources and constraints at the club.

So, when he announced on 20th April, 2018 that he will be leaving AFC at the end of the season, it shocked the entire football world. Everything about the season was forgotten, and the focus was firmly on the last few remaining weeks as Arsenal manager. Young and fringe players got chances, and the experienced ones warmed the bench. The perfect sendoff would have been the 2018 Europa League Final in Lyon, and for him to go out with a European trophy to his name. But it wasn't meant to be, as Arsenal were unable to crack the defensive wall that was Atletico Madrid. So Arsene's sendoff would have to be in the league, where his last home game against Burnley, and last ever game away to Huddersfield Town.

The last home game at the Emirates was a superb affair both on and off the pitch, with tributes flowing endlessly from all corners of the world. Burnley to their credit also obliged, and agreed to not spoil the party for the Gunners. The final score line was an emphatic 5-0, which included some enthralling typical Wengerball. After the game, a presentation was arranged which was attended by the entire Arsenal hierarchy, and also ex-players and legends. He was presented with the Invincibles trophy, which was a fine gesture by the club. He began his final speech by wishing a speedy recovery for Sir Alex Ferguson, his eternal nemesis, which once again highlighted his class. It was such an emotional occasion for football fans all around the world, with tears, praise and claps flowing perpetually. The man of the hour himself was fighting back tears.

It has been more than a month since Arsene announced his departure, and has been three weeks since Arsene's last game, yet to me, it doesn't feel like Arsene has left the club. I have only known Arsene as the Arsenal manager, and for me, it has been extremely difficult to imagine Arsenal without Arsene. How much would Arsene be affected by leaving Arsenal is something nobody knows. It has been a long and happy love story and for the most part a story in which all parties were on the same side. The vocal minority simply does not represent the opinions of the entire fan base, and we fans, who understand what he did for the club, have always rallied behind the manager, the players and the club. I hope Arsene knows this, and doesn't feel like he became a villain who was a hero and overstayed his welcome at Arsenal.

Some of the proudest moments of his career would have been:

Going Invincible(P38W26L0)

2006 UEFA Champions League Runners up:

2006 Beating Real Madrid at the Bernabeu

2014 FA Cup victory

2005 FA Cup victory over Manchester United.

Some famous Arsene Wenger quotes:

"When you give success to stupid people, it makes them more stupid sometimes, and not more intelligent"

"A football team is like a beautiful woman. When you do not tell her, she forgets that she is beautiful."

"We do not buy superstars. We make them."

"I believe the target of anything in life should be to do it so well that it becomes an art."

"If you eat caviar every day, it is difficult to return to sausages."

"Everyone thinks they have the prettiest wife at home"

Dear Arsene,

Please know that we love you, and you will always have our backing no matter what. We wish you all the very best in your future endeavors, and hope you win hundreds of trophies. We are unfathomably grateful to you, and we will always keep your words in our hearts. Merci beaucoup Monsieur Arsene!