Arsenal: ‘Wenger Out’ campaign finally gets its wish as Arsene departs | CNN

Arsenal: ‘Wenger Out’ campaign finally gets its wish

By Tom McGowan, CNN
3 minute read
Updated 11:44 AM EDT, Fri April 20, 2018
After being appointed as Arsenal's manager in 1996, Arsene Wenger went on to have a huge impact on the club and English football. He introduced new ideas about nutrition, training and tactics and established a track record for signing players who became global stars. But later in his career, after a decline in performance and a failure to qualify for Champions League, Wenger faced pressure from disgruntled fans.
Arsene Wenger —
After being appointed as Arsenal's manager in 1996, Arsene Wenger went on to have a huge impact on the club and English football. He introduced new ideas about nutrition, training and tactics and established a track record for signing players who became global stars. But later in his career, after a decline in performance and a failure to qualify for Champions League, Wenger faced pressure from disgruntled fans.
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The Frenchman joined Arsenal in 1996 after managing Japanese club Nagoya Grampus Eight. Twenty years after his brief stay in Japan, Wenger's influence still echoes, following its rise from a backwater of world football to one of its emerging powers.
Before Arsenal —
The Frenchman joined Arsenal in 1996 after managing Japanese club Nagoya Grampus Eight. Twenty years after his brief stay in Japan, Wenger's influence still echoes, following its rise from a backwater of world football to one of its emerging powers.
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Wenger began changing the culture of Arsenal almost immediately, although not without some player resistance. He changed players diets -- where he famously banned them from chocolate and replaced the cafeteria's menu from burgers to fish, chicken and vegetables. He also applied a tough training regime and emphasized the importance of ball control.
Strengthening the side —
Wenger began changing the culture of Arsenal almost immediately, although not without some player resistance. He changed players diets -- where he famously banned them from chocolate and replaced the cafeteria's menu from burgers to fish, chicken and vegetables. He also applied a tough training regime and emphasized the importance of ball control.
Shaun Botterill/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
In 1998, it all paid off. Wenger became the first foreign manager to win both the Premier League title and the FA Cup. He went on to repeat that double again in 2002.
Double win —
In 1998, it all paid off. Wenger became the first foreign manager to win both the Premier League title and the FA Cup. He went on to repeat that double again in 2002.
Shaun Botterill/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Open top bus parades began the norm for Arsenal fans, this one taking place in 2002.
History repeats itself —
Open top bus parades began the norm for Arsenal fans, this one taking place in 2002.
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The 2003-2004 team earned the nickname "The Invincibles" after it went through the Premier League season undefeated -- with 26 wins and 12 draws.
The Invincibles —
The 2003-2004 team earned the nickname "The Invincibles" after it went through the Premier League season undefeated -- with 26 wins and 12 draws.
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In years to come, Wenger would attempt to rebuild and renovate his team. In 2003, he signed Cesc Fabregas -- who became Arsenal's youngest ever played at the age of 16.
New, young players —
In years to come, Wenger would attempt to rebuild and renovate his team. In 2003, he signed Cesc Fabregas -- who became Arsenal's youngest ever played at the age of 16.
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At the end of the 2003-2004 season, he also signed Dutch striker Robin Van Persie for £3 million -- who once said Wenger was the best manager in the world.
New, young players —
At the end of the 2003-2004 season, he also signed Dutch striker Robin Van Persie for £3 million -- who once said Wenger was the best manager in the world.
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Arsenal's unbeaten streak of 49 games was over in 2004, after being defeated by Manchester United. This would be the beginning of Wenger and Arsenal's downfall, with the 2005 FA Cup being the last major trophy they'd win for almost a decade.
Invicible days over —
Arsenal's unbeaten streak of 49 games was over in 2004, after being defeated by Manchester United. This would be the beginning of Wenger and Arsenal's downfall, with the 2005 FA Cup being the last major trophy they'd win for almost a decade.
Alex Livesey/Getty Images
There were still highlights, though. In 2006, the team reached the final of the Champions League but lost 2-1 to Barcelona. Arsenal led for much of the match before conceding two late goals. The first-half sending off of Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann made the task all the more difficult.
Champions League controversy —
There were still highlights, though. In 2006, the team reached the final of the Champions League but lost 2-1 to Barcelona. Arsenal led for much of the match before conceding two late goals. The first-half sending off of Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann made the task all the more difficult.
GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/Getty Images
Lehmann was visibly distraught as he left the pitch after fouling Barcelona's Samuel Eto'o.
Champions League controversy —
Lehmann was visibly distraught as he left the pitch after fouling Barcelona's Samuel Eto'o.
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Years passed and fans hope faded. Wenger struggled to hold onto key players, and lost the likes of Fabregas, to Barcelona, and Van Persie -- who joined rivals Manchester United.
Struggles —
Years passed and fans hope faded. Wenger struggled to hold onto key players, and lost the likes of Fabregas, to Barcelona, and Van Persie -- who joined rivals Manchester United.
Shaun Botterill/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Wenger played a pivotal role in the building of Arsenal's new training ground and the move from Highbury to their new state-of-the-art Emirates Stadium, which opened in 2006. However, the funding for the new stadium -- which cost £390 million -- set Wenger back, forcing him to be adopt a conservative approach in the transfer market. So while the team had a shiny new football ground, they were left without any new trophies.
Shiny stadium, no trophies —
Wenger played a pivotal role in the building of Arsenal's new training ground and the move from Highbury to their new state-of-the-art Emirates Stadium, which opened in 2006. However, the funding for the new stadium -- which cost £390 million -- set Wenger back, forcing him to be adopt a conservative approach in the transfer market. So while the team had a shiny new football ground, they were left without any new trophies.
Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Then finally, after a nine-year drought, Arsenal won silverware once again after beating Hull City in a gripping 2014 FA Cup final. Arsenal players carried their French manager as they celebrated after the match.
Nine-year drought —
Then finally, after a nine-year drought, Arsenal won silverware once again after beating Hull City in a gripping 2014 FA Cup final. Arsenal players carried their French manager as they celebrated after the match.
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Over 250,000 fans turned out to watch the team's open-top bus parade through Islington.
Silverware —
Over 250,000 fans turned out to watch the team's open-top bus parade through Islington.
LEON NEAL/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
In the years that followed, though, Wenger continued to face fan backlash. "Thanks for the memories," one sign read, "but it's time to say goodbye."
Time to say goodbye —
In the years that followed, though, Wenger continued to face fan backlash. "Thanks for the memories," one sign read, "but it's time to say goodbye."
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Eventually, "Wenger Out" banners started appearing all over the world, this one was spotted at the annual rugby sevens event in Hong Kong.
Wenger Out —
Eventually, "Wenger Out" banners started appearing all over the world, this one was spotted at the annual rugby sevens event in Hong Kong.
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Then, finally, after 22 years, Wenger announced on April 20 that he would leave Arsenal. "After careful consideration and following discussions with the club, I feel it is the right time for me to step down," he wrote in a statement.
End of an era —
Then, finally, after 22 years, Wenger announced on April 20 that he would leave Arsenal. "After careful consideration and following discussions with the club, I feel it is the right time for me to step down," he wrote in a statement.
LINDSEY PARNABY/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Arsene Wenger: The man who was once invincible

Story highlights

Arsene Wenger will leave Arsenal at the end of the season

The Frenchman has been with Arsenal for 22 years

Fans have displayed "Wenger Out" banners all over the world

CNN  — 

From Wrestlemania to the White House, plastered on toilet walls in Australia and cardboard signs in Zimbabwe.

“Wenger Out.” Many Arsenal fans across the world have clamored for the club’s long-term manager Arsene Wenger to step down in recent years, taking to the streets, stadiums, Twitter and, in one extreme case, even to the sky.

On Friday, they got their wish.

The Frenchman announced he will call time on his 22-year association with the club when the current season ends early next month, also signaling the end of a social media campaign that has drawn support in weird and wonderful places.

It began as response to a downturn in Arsenal’s fortunes on the pitch. After three English Premier League titles and four FA Cups between 1998 and 2005, Wenger oversaw a nine-year run without a trophy.

Fans grew restless for a change of leadership and began to demand it in unexpected locations.

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM: Arsenal team captain Patrick Vieira (L) and manager Arsene Wenger wave from the open-top bus carrying the winners of the British Premier League Championship, Arsenal players and their families, on its way to Islington Town Hall,16 May 2004, as part of the Club's victory celebration. AFP PHOTO/ Martyn HAYHOW (Photo credit should read MARTYN HAYHOW/AFP/Getty Images)
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Patrick Vieira on the Invincibles and Man City
00:48 - Source: CNN

READ: Who will replace Wenger at Arsenal?

A placard with “Wenger Out” splashed across it appeared at a protest against Robert Mugabe in Harare, Zimbabwe early last year, while a couple of months later one Arsenal fan made his views clear at the WWE’s annual Wrestlemania extravaganza.

Leader of the British Labour Party and an Arsenal fan, Jeremy Corbyn is an MP in the club’s Islington neighborhood in North London.

Some supporters of Corbyn, however, didn’t afford Wenger the same backing in the run up to the 2017 British election, with “Wenger Out” messages appearing at a public appearance by the Labour Party leader in Leamington Spa.

The campaign reached a bizarre pinnacle during a 3-1 defeat at West Bromwich Albion in March 2017. One anti-Wenger fan arranged for a plane to fly over the stadium trailing a banner emblazoned with the message “No Contract #Wenger Out,” only for a second plane with a pro-Wenger message to appear moments later.

The banner condemning Wenger reappeared in the skies above a match at Stoke City the following May. Incidentally Arsenal won that match 4-1.

And while “Wenger Out” campaigners will no doubt feel vindicated, they should be careful what they wish for.

29 Sep 1999: Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger looks pleased with his teams performance after the Barcelona v Arsenal UEFA Champions League Group B match played at the Nou Camp, Barcelona, Spain. The game finished in a 1-1 draw. \ Mandatory Credit: Shaun Botterill /Allsport
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COPA90: How Wenger's Arsenal changed the PL
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When Wenger’s old nemesis Alex Ferguson ended his 26-year reign as Manchester United manager in 2013, his replacement David Moyes was sacked before the end of the following season. United slumped to a seventh-place finish.

Arsenal’s old rivals have only just began to rebuild themselves as a force in the Premier League after the failed appointed of Louis van Gaal and initial struggles under current incumbent Jose Mourinho.

Will Arsenal’s change in leadership restore the Gunners to former glories?

Whatever happens, at least Arsenal fans will always have the @WengerOutSigns Twitter account to remind them of a man they revered and ultimately removed.