Arsene Wenger to leave Arsenal after two decades in charge

Arsene Wenger announced Friday that he is to step down as manager of Premier League team Arsenal at the end of the season after almost 22 years with the club. Wenger, 68, has been with the club since October 1996 and he is both the club's most successful manager and the longest serving manager in the Premier League by a considerable margin.

In an official statement released by the club today, Wenger said "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. I am grateful for having had the privilege to serve the club for so many memorable years. I managed the club with full commitment and integrity."

"I want to thank the staff, the players, the Directors and the fans who make the club so special. I urge the fans to stand behind the team to finish on a high. To all the Arsenal lovers take care of the values of the club. My love and support forever."

When Wenger arrived at Arsenal in 1996, he introduced the attacking style he was known for in Ligue 1 and the J.League, quickly elevating the team to the top of the league, leading to three Premier League titles, seven FA Cup wins and a record breaking undefeated run that began at the end of the 2002-03 season and lasted for 49 games.

However, Wenger has faced staunch criticism from fans and pundits alike in recent years as, since 2005, the only competition the team has won has been the FA Cup and they have repeatedly finished the Premier League in the third or fourth position without mounting any serious challenge for the title. They have also been knocked out in the Champions League Round of 16 every year since the 2010-11 season.

Wenger's final Premier League game at The Emirates Stadium is against Burnley on May 9 but Arsenal are still in the Europa League, so victory against La Liga's Atletico Madrid would make his last game as manager a European cup final in Lyon on May 17, his first since the club's loss to Barcelona in the 2006 Champions League final.