The day has come where the magnificent manager of Arsenal, for 22 years, has sadly announced his leave at the end of the season from the club. Despite the debate of ‘Wenger in’ and ‘Wenger out’, the announcement of his resignation has sent a shockwave throughout Islington.
Arsene Wenger is the longest serving manager in English professional football and Islington’s most recognisable face because he is one of the few who have received the ‘freedom of Islington’ at the town hall (a ceremonial honour awarded in the wake of Arsenal’s historic and unmatched unbeaten Premier League season in 2004). Although Richard Watts, the council leader of Islington, is a Nottingham Forest fan, he added his tribute to Mr Wenger by describing him as a “towering figure”.
Mr Wenger joined Arsenal in 1996 and has won three league titles and seven FA Cup victories, (including 2 FA Cup ‘doubles’). Also an achievement, made never before in English football history, was accomplished by him, as Arsenal won an entire 38-game season without losing even once to the opposite team; which was the “invincibles” season of 2003-2004. However more recently Arsene Wenger has made Arsenal win more FA cups than any other team by bringing the FA cup to Emirates Stadium in three out of four seasons, with victory parades in 2014 and 2015; this brought thousands of joyful fans to the streets of Islington.
The labour leader-Jeremy Corbyn, is a big Arsenal fan and therefore has paid an emotional thank you to Mr Wenger. On Facebook Mr Corbyn has written: “thank you Arsene Wenger for all you have done for Arsenal and our community in North London, and for the inspiration you have given to young people to take up football. 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. Thank you for the beautiful football and wonderful memories. And thank you for the example you have set in standing up to abuse and critism, proving you are stronger than all your critics. Merci beaucoup, Monsieur Wenger, pour votre bon travail”, which means: thank you very much, Mr Wenger, for your good work.
Jeremy Corbyn has been a Member of the Parliament for Islington North since 1983 and as a fan of the gunners; he has crossed paths with Wenger many times and still has vivid memories of the first time they met. On his Huffington Post blog, he has written: “I first met the man in 1996 when he was moving into his office at Highbury. He was carrying a box full of paperwork, but he stopped to say hello and took time out to talk to my sons and their friends. I remember him talking to youngsters at an Arsenal community event, telling them how important it is to learn another language. This is the side of Arsene Wenger that lots of people never get to see. Yes, he is sometimes irascible in interviews or grumpy, after losing a match, having to answer often ridiculous questions and facing the brickbats of the pundits. He set an example that you can rise above criticism and abuse, and prove you are stronger than all your critics. Quite simply, he is one of the finest football managers there has ever been.” Now that Wenger has resigned, Arsenal needs a new manager. Arsenal has confirmed they will look for a new leader as soon as possible; with nine contenders: Carlo Ancelotti, Thomas Tuchel, Brendan Rodgers, Joachim Low, Diego Simeone, Leonardo Jardim, Luis Enrique, Mikel Arteta and Massimiliano Allegri. However Sportsmail has revealed that Arsenal have their eye on Luis Enrique Martinez Garcia and is known to be the favourite because he was a professional football player that has won three world cups and a European championship and has coached the Barcelona team (one of the best football teams in the world). The new director of football relations, Raul Sanllehi, forged a close relationship, by having deep conversations, with Enrique. They have been focusing on Enrique but are still keen on giving Wenger the respectful grand send-off he richly deserves.
During the victory game against West Ham United, some fans symphonised Mr Wenger’s name at the stadium. The Arsenal football club are in the semi-finals of this year’s Europa league and so all the fans wish them good luck to finish the season and Wenger’s career with a success.
By Priyanka Kaur, GGSK
