So here we are , the great man leaves us at the end of this so far disappointing season. It’s very much in the hand of or players how the last act plays out, but ultimately even winning the Europa League will be no more a happy ending to what will forever be remembered as beautiful journey.
For twenty two years we have had the absolute privilege of watching a visionary transform Arsenal before our very eyes. We have seen the best of the best football and witnessed team after team, built and rebuilt, all trying to play the beautiful game in the most beautiful of ways. Of course it’s not always worked. We have had disappointments and calamities along the way, but even then, those teams were sent out to play entertaining and expansive football, that they often failed doesn’t really matter. The point is they tried. WERE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED?
Twenty two years of press conferences when we could witness the wit, class and brilliance of a man that quite frankly I found to be an inspiration, and I say without shame, a hero.
Arsenal will go on and Positively Arsenal will do what we have always done, support the manager and his staff and the players. If Arsene has taught us anything ,its that the club come first. I for one am going to celebrate that we had the man lead us for twenty two years. I will not be bleating about how unfair the end was, because it matters not . He will be gone and everything he has done for us will help us in the future.
His like will never been seen again, but we saw it, we have it and no one tan take it away from us. the man is INVINCIBLE.
https://twitter.com/NigelSummerburn/status/987339699890073601
I was going to add some more tweets and comments from the comments section, but they are on my TL for twitter and in the comments section of the previous blog.
All the best people, keep your peckers up.
Positively Arsenal 
Very well put.
Hopefully this season ends with another trophy, but even if not, those of us who have backed and appreciated may feel sad, and respectful, but have cause to celebrate what he has done.
Dont be sad its..almost over, just be glad it happened
Besides, I have a hunch he may one day return in some capacity, but hopefully after more success as a manager somewhere
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Thanks George
Hope you’re feeling better yourself after recent times too.
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I read this a literally broke down in tears. It’s embarrassing tbh.
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“I will not be bleating about how unfair the end was, because it matters not . He will be gone and everything he has done for us will help us in the future”.
Well said.
I saw “Full Metal Jacket” again last night after a long time and one of the dialogue by Gunnery Sergeant Hartman at the end of the training resonated: “Most of you will go to Vietnam. Some of you will not come back. But always remember this: Marines die. That’s what we’re here for. But the Marine Corps lives forever. And that means YOU live forever”.
No matter wherever he goes or whatever he does, Arsene Wenger will live on not only in the memories of Arsenal fans but through every brick of the “Emirates” stadium and every blade of grass on the pitch as it was mainly his vision that helped the club make the transition from the 1990s to where it is today.
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Only found out half hour ago in service station after hard day’s work. Heart did a big old flip in my chest.
All kinds of sadness seemed about to descend but managed to stave off most and drive home.
First and truest thought was just ‘no, no, no’.
Knew it was a possibility, thought I was prepared, but still a nasty shock to the system.
The years, all these years; the great times and that constant presence of a truly good man- wise, funny, intelligent, articulate, honest and good- at the helm of the club.
Must admit, I’m experiencing it in a deeply personal way, thinking automatically of all I’ve been through away from football during his tenure, good and bad, all the change from 14 to 36. Or at least that’s what my heart tried pulling on me, but I’m resisting for now.
Not sure what else to say other than I’ll miss presence of Wenger a lot, and football is surely poorer if he doesn’t remain involved.
Don’t know if I’ve ever shed a tear over football, but wouldn’t bet against it in coming weeks.
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We have a few games still to go,so let’s hope that players and fans make them a meaningful tribute to a gentleman who proved to be beyond our wildest dreams.
What a legacy he will leave.
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For once in my life I’m lost for words.
Our greatest manager since the 1930’s is leaving us, hounded out by imbiciles.
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I am speechless. The great man has called it a day…
Wenger gave Arsenal it’s true identity and elite club status which no other manager could parallel.
His 22 years at the club are infact the golden period of the clubs history.
We may not find his replacement for a long time surely. The wobs and malcontents will find out sooner than later.
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I’ve been out all day, so I’ve avoided having to process this, but that press conference choked me up and I can only see it getting worse when Arsene next speaks. It would be nice if the media treated him with a bit of respect on Sunday, but I won’t hold my breath for that. I expect they will be probing as they did with Ivan to try to find some juicy tidbit to suggest that he didn’t jump, but was pushed.
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People like Claude should be kissing Mr Wenger shoes as he is able to be relevent and pay some bills with his particpation on Youtube.
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“Keep your peckers up”! George do you know your audience? Most of us are past our best days.
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An excellent mini-blog in tribute to one of the greatest managers ever. Thank you George for keeping it succinct and to the point.
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Thanks Shotta, that was actually a bit long winded for me.
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U23s live
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Jeorge Bird
@jeorgebird
22m22 minutes ago
Arsenal U23 team v West Ham
Virginia
Osei-Tutu-Olowu-Medley-T. Bola
Dasilva-Willock
Dragomir-Nelson-Smith Rowe
Nketiah
Subs: Keto, Ballard, John-Jules, Amaechi, Gilmour
Mavropanos still out injured.
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well Ivan in his presser made it clear the criteria for our next manager,
someone who will play attacking football
someone with Wenger’s honor and integrity and ethos
someone who will promote youth
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Nelson great goal 1-0
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Nelson put AFC U23’s 1 up, he had earlier missed a one on one, shooting narrowly wide after running from the half way line. This time he tucked away from inside the area
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Eddie, Eddie, Eddie, makes it 2-0
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Willock’s takes a quick free kick from his own half brilliant Wengerball and Eddie hits in the net
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virginia with a great save
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arsenal muck up a brilliant chance, 3 players in on the goal unmarked and I think it was osei-tutu too the shot instead of a square ball for either of the other two to tap home
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another great chance missed, nelson wins a race in the corner with the keeper, he went towards goal and after rounding a defender he set up Nketiah but his shot hits the bar. We really should be out of sight here
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afc go close again, we really should be four or five up here
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HT: West Ham 0-2 Arsenal
Nelson and Nketiah with our goals, but we really should be at least four or five goals up, West Ham have had one great chance, Arsenal have had nine or ten.
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I’ve read PA regularly over the couple or so months I haven’t posted. The reason I haven’t posted is that I didn’t want to inject negativity onto the site. Such would’ve been about PigMob, plundits, press & TV, AFTV, etc.
I nearly splashed the pen when I found out about VAR being postponed for another year. Not that I thought it’d make anything ok. It’s clear to me Thems were trying to tailor such the system to make sure things stay the same.
This afternoon I visited a neighbour who isn’t a football fan. First thing he said was that Wenger had resigned. I visited these pages and found this to be true.
Now, hours later, I remain BITTER!
I have a way to go to at least temporarily disregard the information, insults, lies, bad decisions and perennial attempts to destabilise everything Arsenal, inc. Arsène Wenger.
Mr Wenger, having been an Arsenal fan long before I knew who you were, I thank you for choosing Arsenal and for all you’ve done for me/us. I wish that whatever you do, you have success on your own terms. The love you express to us – I wish for you to receive back ten fold.
No tears have come for me yet but that’s how I’m feeling.
Thank you Arsène.
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U23 side is very, very good. Bags of talent and beautiful football and also seems to be hard work and organisation to go with it.
Could be imagination but feels like they are playing with a determination above wanting to seal title.
Anyway, it’s a very fitting tribute to Wenger and the beautiful football he brought to the club and made the club’s way long ago.
Apart from Osei-Tutu! who took on shot from good position when there was a much, much better chance with a simple pass, and to player who is better finisher. That, lad, is not Wenger ball. Youngster though so that can be forgiven.
Shame game isn’t sealed as were at least 3 great chances as well as goals.
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George there were some great comments on the last post inc. some Arsene quotes can you reprint some of them to this post I think it’s only fitting.
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This ref is just terrible
Is he under instructions?
looks blatant his bias
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afcstuff
@afcstuff
8h8 hours ago
Bob Wilson on Wenger: “I’m in shock. I was there on the day he arrived, I was still the goalkeeping coach then and he is without doubt one of the three greatest men I have ever met in my life.”
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was thinking the same WwwB, I hope we don’t let them in our area to flop to the ground with this ref about
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Charlie Gilmour has come on for Dragomir
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Bit tense still without 3rd. Nelson quicker than I realised!
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I have a bit of cheer about a Norwegian called Alf.
Last summer I was holidaying with the better half and my two adult daughters in the South of France at a nice place called Villefranche sur mer.
At an outside table at one of the many restaurants down little allyways a couple in their fifties (ish) chose the table next to us.
Alcohol turned ‘bonjours’ and polite nods into chat.
Alf is a Gooner and spoke about one day perhaps getting to see a live game. Was incredibly happy just to be chatting to a fellow Gooner from England and was ecstatic, for me , when I told him I had a season ticket.
I told him I sit near a few folk who have become a small group who occasionally have a spare ticket or two between us (as happens around the ground with hundreds of similar groups/friends etc ).
I suggested, while by no means a certainty, we swap numbers and in the event he finds himself in or near London then let me know and if the winds of fate are fair I’ll ask my colleagues if there’s a spare.
I have had chats like this at various times, in many places and, as I have before, thought that I probably wouldn’t meet Alf again and, even were he to get in touch, it’d be a gamble that his visit and a spare for a home game would coincide.
Yesterday, I got a text from him to say he is in London with his wife for the weekend and if there was a chance for a ticket at such short notice he’d love the opportunity.
A message to a friend bought an immediate reply saying some chap had just asked her to find someone for his ticket.
Alf, judging by his response, was delighted.
Alf messaged me this morning to say he was now in the country. He has found the pub I drink in, on Google maps and worked out his best tube route.
Fate truly smiled on Alf as, if he had waited until today to message me – just 24 hours later – there is little chance I’d have found him a ticket at any cost.
Let’s hope Alf is rewarded with a fine display of football, a nice pint of Guiness, some banter in the pub and returns to Norway one happy Gooner.
There’s always a positive somewhere…..
There is also, indeed, only one Arsene Wenger.
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Another great move and Eddie again
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eddie eddie eddie makes it 3-0
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i’ve seen some good stuff from the U23’s this season, but this is very impressive, not sure if WHU are very poor, or what, but our guys look a class above everywhere on teh pitch, but not only that we look far far quicker than them, far more aware. Highly impressed by DaSilva
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Oh well, I would imagine there will be another club, or perhaps country that I won’t actually support but will follow with great interest over hopefully the next few years, I really hope he achieves success where he goes, unless it is one of the worlds unpleasant clubs, and cannot see that.
Having said that, if he ends up at France, I could easily support them over the divers and cloggers that are England, and if he ends up at England, would be easy to support them again as long as he stops Alli and Kane cheating for them. But alas, all speculation, he has a trophy to win for us in the mean time
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Another lovely goal. Hugely impressed by DaSilva in build up.
Think he’s been great tonight and a little unlucky this year not to join Willock, Eddie and Nelson in getting cup minutes. Could only play so many I guess but looks similar talent to me.
Strong, skilful guy with good engine, unselfish and seems to have good football brain- what’s not to like!
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Not so long ago Arsenal lost 10-0 to Aston Villa
Such a relevant result it was back page news, used as a stick to beat Mr Wenger.
I wonder if he will get any credit for this championship win
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WwwB remember when Steve Gatting was a joke coach, according to the malcontents,
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Oops, bit of selfish play from Dasilva moments after praised him for unselfishness.
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Loving the partisan comentator.
He actually is trying to talk West Ham into some parity
The fact that West Ham are a year and a half older than Arsenal ha passed him by
Defenately(sic)! eh Dan?
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west ham score, maybe we had relaxed a little with only ten minutes left, need to stay strong now 3-1 up
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west ham only have to appeal and the ref gives them a free kick,
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Nelson and Smith-Rowe off, Ameachi and John-Jules on, 84 minutes
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Tells you all you need to know about a game when the partisan comentator gives MOM to the goal keeper of the the team that lost 1-3 at home.
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FT: West Ham 1-3 Arsenal
Arsenal win the reserve league for the first time since 1990, and to make things better, Man Utd relegated.
Nketiah x2 and Nelson with our goals, we really could have had a hat full, very dominant, DaSilva for me the stand out player, Nelson and Nketiah very good too,
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