Arsene Wenger's farewell speech in full after Arsenal's final home game
Arsene Wenger made an emotional speech on the Emirates pitch at the end of his last home game as Arsenal manager.
The long-serving boss was given a guard of honour ahead of the Gunners' 5-0 win over Burnley at the Emirates, which secured sixth spot in the league.
Nearly 22 year since he first set foot on the pitch at Arsenal's former ground, Highbury, the 68-year-old ended his day with a direct address to the still-packed home stands at the Emirates, after receiving a long chorus of "One Arsene Wenger" from the club's supporters, who were each given a 'Merci Arsene' t-shirt.
"Thank you every much," he said. "Before I start, I just want to wish my fellow manager Alex Ferguson well. Thank you for having me for such a long time. I know that's not easy.
The long-serving boss was given a guard of honour ahead of the Gunners' 5-0 win over Burnley at the Emirates, which secured sixth spot in the league.
Nearly 22 year since he first set foot on the pitch at Arsenal's former ground, Highbury, the 68-year-old ended his day with a direct address to the still-packed home stands at the Emirates, after receiving a long chorus of "One Arsene Wenger" from the club's supporters, who were each given a 'Merci Arsene' t-shirt.
"Thank you every much," he said. "Before I start, I just want to wish my fellow manager Alex Ferguson well. 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. This is more than just watching football, it's a way of life. It's caring about the beautiful game, about the values we cherish, and as well, that something that goes for all our bodies in every cell of our bodies. We care, we worry, we are desperate, but when you come here, the theatre of dreams we realise what it means.
"I would like as well to thank everyone at the club who makes it so special, I would invite you, really push, support these players and the staff who remains behind me, these group of players has a special quality. Not only on the pitch, but off the pitch. Please, as you follow this team, support them next season because they deserve it.
"I would like to finish in one simple sentence: I will miss you. Thank you all for having such an important part of my life, thank you all, well done, bye bye."
Ribery signs one-year Bayern extension
Bayern Munich midfielder Franck Ribery has signed a one-year contract extension with the Bundesliga side.
The 35-year-old Frenchman had been linked with a move away from the German champions in the summer.
He has scored 117 goals in 385 appearances and won the Bundesliga eight times with Bayern since joining them in 2007 from Marseille.
“I’m very proud to have another year here - Munich has become a home for me and my family,” Ribery said.
Thierry Henry pays tribute to 'visionary' Arsene Wenger
Arsenal record goalscorer Thierry Henry paid tribute to Arsene Wenger after the Frenchman's final game in charge at the Emirates.
Wenger led the Gunners to three Premier League titles - two while Henry was at the club - and seven FA Cups during his time in north London.
After almost 22 years, first at Highbury and, since 2006, the Emirates Stadium, Henry told Sky Sports the Frenchman would take some time to adjust to life post-Arsenal.
He said: "He was there from 7.30am until 6 or 7 at night, watching games and loving the club. It's going to be difficult for someone doing something for so long with the club he loves to just leave.
"It's not an easy thing to just call a day. He loves to be on the grass, smelling grass, he has a vision and he's a visionary. He always thinks his team can achieve things and thinks his team can achieve what he wants.
"Whether you agree or disagree, he goes to that extent to believe that. We met the expectations in our generation and a bit before.
"At times, he had that belief in that team which unfortunately didn't meet the expectation in the league. I can only say one thing about him, and that's thank you.
"The man he was for me. He was a father figure, he helped me to become a better player, unlocked stuff in my brain that was sometimes stopping myself, things that are obvious but at 22 you're trying to find out the player you can be."
Henry arrived at Highbury as a talented but raw striker, but left Arsenal as the club's top scorer and described as world class - something he said Wenger had a huge impact on.
He said: "I had a natural talent in the way I was a striker, I tried to work a lot and train to make my game a bit better, but I used to go in his office and say: "When I run there, when they've got the ball they don't see me."
"He'd say: 'Thierry, ask yourself the right question - do you think that guy can see you?' I realised he couldn't and I started to move and adapt my game to others. He had the way to make you believe you were the best player in the world, and then like I always say, gave you that freedom to go out and execute it.
"He gave you that belief that you go out there and execute it. As everyone knows, the understanding we had with him.
"We rowed a lot. I like to be right, he likes to be right, especially from me. To be honest, it's difficult - when I was upset as a player, I'd get upset wherever I was. I always say though, to have an argument it's for the good of the team.
"You argue with your dad, you argue with your mum, you argue with your brother."
Wenger led the Gunners to three Premier League titles - two while Henry was at the club - and seven FA Cups during his time in north London.
After almost 22 years, first at Highbury and, since 2006, the Emirates Stadium, Henry told Sky Sports the Frenchman would take some time to adjust to life post-Arsenal.
He said: "He was there from 7.30am until 6 or 7 at night, watching games and loving the club. It's going to be difficult for someone doing something for so long with the club he loves to just leave.
"It's not an easy thing to just call a day. He loves to be on the grass, smelling grass, he has a vision and he's a visionary. He always thinks his team can achieve things and thinks his team can achieve what he wants.
"Whether you agree or disagree, he goes to that extent to believe that. We met the expectations in our generation and a bit before.
"At times, he had that belief in that team which unfortunately didn't meet the expectation in the league. I can only say one thing about him, and that's thank you.
"The man he was for me. He was a father figure, he helped me to become a better player, unlocked stuff in my brain that was sometimes stopping myself, things that are obvious but at 22 you're trying to find out the player you can be."
Henry arrived at Highbury as a talented but raw striker, but left Arsenal as the club's top scorer and described as world class - something he said Wenger had a huge impact on.
He said: "I had a natural talent in the way I was a striker, I tried to work a lot and train to make my game a bit better, but I used to go in his office and say: "When I run there, when they've got the ball they don't see me."
"He'd say: 'Thierry, ask yourself the right question - do you think that guy can see you?' I realised he couldn't and I started to move and adapt my game to others. He had the way to make you believe you were the best player in the world, and then like I always say, gave you that freedom to go out and execute it.
"He gave you that belief that you go out there and execute it. As everyone knows, the understanding we had with him.
"We rowed a lot. I like to be right, he likes to be right, especially from me. To be honest, it's difficult - when I was upset as a player, I'd get upset wherever I was. I always say though, to have an argument it's for the good of the team.
"You argue with your dad, you argue with your mum, you argue with your brother."
Ibrahim: Djoliba win good for Enyimba’s confidence
Enyimba FC striker, Mustapha Ibrahim has said the 2-0 victory over Djoliba of Mali in their opening match of the CAF Confederation Cup group stage is good for team confidence.
The former African champions recorded a convincing 2-0 win over the Malian giants on Sunday at the UJ Esuene stadium Calabar to begin their group stage campaign on a promising note.
Ibrahim who saw 90 minutes of action in the keenly contested encounter said the match was a difficult one but the ‘peoples elephants’ showed the right fighting spirit to get the desired result.
He told Daily Trust yesterday that the victory over Djoliba will motivate the team going into the other group matches.
Enyimba FC are in the same group C with CARA Brazzaville of Congo, Williamsville of Cote’ d’Ivoire and Djoliba of Mali.
“It was a very difficult match but we did our best to start the group stage on a winning note. The victory has brought us so much confidence.
“Our opponents came with a game plan but we persevered to the end. The opening minutes were hard to deal with but we eventually settled into the match.
“We hope to build on this victory as we prepare to face our other group opponents,” he said.
Ibrahim however said there will be no complacency because the league has reached a stage that every mistake will prove costly.
Enyimba will next travel to Congo to face CARA Brazzaville on Wednesday, May 16 before returning home to play against Williamsville on July 17.
Rohr, Balogun differ on Super Eagles’ World Cup chances
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| Super Eagles Alex Iwobi (right) vies for the ball with Serbia''s Nemanja Matic (21) during an international friendly match recently |
