It is not as if Arsenal were getting to the semi-finals occasionally or missing the title by whiskers – for the last seven years, their season has nearly always ended by March.
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The French global, who played more times for his country in 2016 than in the two preceding years combined, took a while to adapt to English football when he first moved to Arsenal in 2010, but is now one of the best centre-backs in the division.
The former Man Utd manager stepped down after years in charge at Old Trafford, and while there are obvious similarities between the two men and their careers, Wenger played that down.
“Arsene is a positive manager and he knows what he is doing, so if he wants to go it will be up to him”.
‘No matter what happens I will manage next season, ‘ the Frenchman said. On a night like that, of course I hate defeat and I hate to lose games. “But as well I’m determined to always fight back”.
“If you have a team maybe you can employ me”, he quipped. “And when I lose games, of course it’s hard to take”.
The second longest-serving manager in the history of the English Premier League, Wenger is out of contract at the end of the season. If and when he leaves, he’ll have a say in it, and it’ll be a “mutual decision” between him and the club Arsenal CEO Ivan Gazidis said in October.
The result at Bayern Munich will not influence that selection.
The ex-striker is now Roberto Martinez’s assistant with Belgium but has repeatedly discussed a desire to come back to Arsenal since retiring.
I imagine he would have said, ‘Look, we’re playing Bayern Munich. It is not like before I arrived Arsenal had won five times in the European Cup. It is hard to take but I have the strength and experience. In life it is important to do what you think is right and the rest is judgement.
“The back three stay where you are”.
So Arsenal virtually out of Champions League yet again and realistically do not have a chance to with the EPL title either.
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When asked about his decision to make eight changes for City’s goalless draw with Huddersfield on 18 February, Guardiola told Sky Sports: “My friend, I take the decisions, you analyse my decisions”. “Is it me or somebody else?”
