Arsenal display against West Ham confirms it is right time for Arsene Wenger to leave

Mark Bryans 18:44 22/04/2018
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Arsene Wenger took charge of Arsenal for the first time since announcing he will leave in the summer as they picked up a 4-1 victory over West Ham on Sunday.

    The Frenchman has spent almost 22 years in charge of the Gunners and his goodbye began with a London derby at the Emirates Stadium.

    Here, Mark Mann-Bryans analyses Wenger’s day in the dugout as he begins the process of saying his farewells.

    Reception

    West Ham supporters were quick to sing their goodbyes to Wenger, before a chorus of “there’s only one Arsene Wenger” came from the home fans.

    There were still empty seats scattered around the Emirates, a trend set in recent weeks as apathy towards a largely average season set in, but those in attendance were noticeably warmer towards their long-serving boss.

    With a little over half an hour remaining, the Wenger chants intensified, with the man himself responding to calls for a wave by acknowledging the crowd.

    Demeanour

    Wenger was keen to keep focus on the challenge at hand rather than address the timeline that led to Friday’s surprise announcement.

    He skirted the issue in his pre-match interviews and throughout the game appeared sporadically on the touchline to issue orders. If he was carrying extra emotion following his decision, he certainly was not prepared to show it.

    His usual programme notes carried a message similar to that in his original statement of his intention to leave, adding his “immediate thoughts have to be about these games, starting with West Ham”.

    He allowed himself to steal a quick fist-pump in celebration for the goals scored by Nacho Monreal, Aaron Ramsey and Alexandre Lacazette.

    Team Selection

    With Mesut Ozil, Petr Cech and Jack Wilshere missing out with a variety of issues, Wenger named the strongest side he could with the exception of club-record signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

    Wenger has been admitting for the last fortnight that the Europa League has now taken priority over domestic issues but a victory over the Hammers following his decision to stand down would have been high on the agenda.

    Losing Mohamed Elneny to what appeared to be a serious knee injury is a blow ahead of the Atletico Madrid clash in the Europa League semi-final on Thursday.

    Conclusions

    The whole afternoon threatened to prove a microcosm of the last decade of Wenger’s reign – sloppy defensive errors, overplaying in attack, groans of discontent from supporters – until Ramsey’s goal and two late Lacazette strikes secured what was eventually three comfortable points for the hosts.

    There was no outpouring of emotion from Wenger or the fans but the atmosphere was at least lighter than it has been in recent months.

    However, despite the win, all in all the day probably confirmed it is the right time for a parting of the ways.

    Recommended