Wenger to leave Arsenal at end of season

Arsene Wenger will bring his 22-year stay in charge of Arsenal to a close at the end of the season, the Frenchman announced on Friday. "After careful consideration and following discussions with the club, I feel it is the right time for me to step down at the end of the season," Wenger said in a statement posted on the club's website. "I am grateful for having had the privilege to serve the club for so many memorable years." Wenger, 68, won three Premier League titles, leading the only side to go a full league season unbeaten in 2003-04, and lifted seven FA Cups during his tenure. However, he has been under increasing pressure to step down from the club's fans for several seasons as Arsenal haven't won the Premier League for 14 years and risk missing out on Champions League qualification for the second consecutive season.

823 - Arsene Wenger has managed more Premier League games than any other manager (823) and only Sir Alex Ferguson has won more games (528) than Wenger (473). Longevity. pic.twitter.com/ktdsaZPb1y

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 20, 2018

Arsene Wenger as Arsenal manager

Premier League games managed -- 823

Wins -- 473
Draws -- 199
Defeats -- 151

Premier League titles won -- 3
FA Cups won -- 7, more than any other manager in history pic.twitter.com/Fd6VsRkqOB

— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) April 20, 2018

Arsenal's only realistic chance of making the Champions League next season is by winning the Europa League where the Gunners face Spanish giants Atletico Madrid in the semi-finals. "I urge our fans to stand behind the team to finish on a high," added Wenger. "To all the Arsenal lovers take care of the values of the club. My love and support for ever."

Premier League ???
FA Cup ???????

21 years, six months and eight days after his first game in charge, Arsene Wenger confirms he is stepping down as Arsenal manager: https://t.co/15BCPDb2T1 pic.twitter.com/yOVJOc1vhg

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) April 20, 2018

Arsenal's majority shareholder Stan Kroenke paid tribute to a man of "unparallelled class". "Arsene has unparallelled class and we will always be grateful to him. Everyone who loves Arsenal and everyone who loves football owes him a debt of gratitude," said Kroenke, who took a controlling stake in the club in 2011. "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 Arsene 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." Arsenal added that a successor to Wenger will be found "as soon as possible".

#MerciArsène pic.twitter.com/7wqOwveCfz

— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) April 20, 2018