HUDDERSFIELD, England (AP) - Wenger is now out.
Protesting Arsenal fans finally saw off Arsene Wenger on Sunday when the manager’s 22-year reign ended with a 1-0 victory at Huddersfield.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was the final scorer of the Wenger era, sliding in to convert Aaron Ramsey’s cross in the 38th minute of the Frenchman’s 1,235th game in charge.
There was something to celebrate at the climax to an otherwise miserably lackluster final season in charge, with Arsenal finishing sixth in the Premier League - the lowest under Wenger.
A plane flew over the John Smith’s Stadium, carrying a message for the most successful manager in Arsenal history who won the title in 1998, 2002 and 2004.
Gone were the “Wenger out” taunts that followed him in recent years. Instead, the message in the skies read “Merci Arsene, we will miss you too” in response to Wenger’s goodbye speech last week at the Emirates Stadium.
But another message trailed from a plane toward the end of the game in northern England, one blaming owner Stan Kroenke for Arsenal’s failure to win the title since 2004: “Kroenke - you’re next.”
The American sports tycoon, who has owned Arsenal since 2011, is yet to announce Wenger’s successor.
The 68-year-old Wenger is yet to disclose his future plans after abruptly leaving Arsenal with a year remaining on his contract.
“I am sad,” Wenger said. “I wish everybody well and thank everybody. The fans have been great until the end. I just want to wish this group of players well and the staff who are coming in. I will remain an Arsenal fan above all.
“I see a bright future for my successor because the team has a good attitude and has quality. We need two or three additions and after that I believe the team will compete for the Premier League.”
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