Wenger gets fan farewell as Gunners top Burnley
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger gestures to supporters as he does a lap of honor on the pitch after the English Premier League match against Burnley at the Emirates Stadium in London on Sunday. The Frenchman bid farewell to a stadium he helped to build in more ways than one when he led Arsenal at home in the 5-0 mauling of Burnley. The 68-year-old Wenger’s final season after 22 years in charge is destined to end in disappointment following last Thursday’s Europa League semifinal exit.
“I will miss you,” Arsene Wenger told the Arsenal fans after being given a fitting farewell in his final home game in charge after 22 years with a 5-0 thrashing of Burnley on Sunday.
On a day dominated by tributes to the Frenchman, both teams formed a guard of honor for Wenger, 68, before kickoff to a chorus of “there’s only one Arsene Wenger.”
All around a full house of 60,000 at the Emirates — in stark contrast to recent league games when fans have stayed away in protest at a poor season — fans sported red t-shirts emblazoned with “Merci Arsene” (Thank you Arsene).
“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,” Wenger said a post-match presentation on the Emirates turf.
“I would like to finish by one simple word: I will miss you. Thank you all for being such an important part of my life.”
Wenger won three English Premier Leagues and a record seven FA Cups. His crowning glory coming in the 2003/04 season when Arsenal won the league without losing a single game.
He was presented with the special gold trophy given to the club for that achievement after the match by two Arsenal legends Bob Wilson and Pat Rice, who worked on Wenger’s coaching staff for many years.
That “Invincibles” season was his last as a league winner, though, and fans became tired of Arsenal’s inability to compete for EPL and UEFA Champions League titles. “It means that even if they are not always happy, they still respected me and wanted to show at least I gave my total commitment to do well,” said Wenger of his ovation from fans.
However, there was plenty for the fans to shout about in a fitting finale for Wenger as Arsenal displayed the attractive brand of attacking football that characterized his most successful sides over the past two decades.
“I have a certain idea of how to play football. My ambition was always to win with style,” added Wenger. “At a big club I feel you have that responsiblity and for the supporters to have a special experience when they come to the club.”
Defeat to Atletico Madrid in the Europa League semifinals last Thursday means Arsenal missed out on UCL qualification for the second consecutive season.
But it bounced back in style to secure the small consolation of ensuring it will finish sixth in the EPL ahead of Burnley.
Wenger will wonder what might have been had Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang not been cup-tied for the latter stages of the Europa League as the Gabon striker took his tally to 8 goals in 11 EPL appearances since joining for a club-record fee from Borussia Dortmund in January.
Aubameyang opened the scoring when he slid in to meet Alexandre Lacazette’s cross to get a party atmosphere started after just 14 minutes.
Burnley has qualified for Europe for the first time in 51 years thanks to finishing seventh.
But it seemed incredible that only 3 points separated the sides before kickoff as Arsenal cut through the Clarets at will going forward.
Lacazette stroked home Arsenal’s second just before half-time before Jack Wilshere teed up Sead Kolasinac for a third 9 minutes after the break.
Aubameyang turned provider for Alex Iwobi to smash home the fourth and Aubameyang finished as he started by steering home Hector Bellerin’s cross to send Wenger off in style.
