Twitter reacts after Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger decides to step down

After 22 years at the club, Arsenal Football Club manager Arsene Wenger will step down at the end of the 2017/18 season. The news was confirmed by the club who released an official statement on their club website.

“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," said the veteran French manager.

It will truly be the end of an era for one of the longest-serving managers in Europe in the last 50 years. With 10 major trophies to his name and having managed over 1,600 games in his career for the north London club, Wenger will go down in history as one of the greatest managers.

Nobody expected this to happen but here's how Twitter reacted to the news.

Arsene Wenger's all-time #PL record:P - 823W - 473D - 199L - 151Win % - 57.5🏆🏆🏆 pic.twitter.com/jdDzhzqSZq

— Premier League (@premierleague) April 20, 2018

#MerciArsène pic.twitter.com/7wqOwveCfz

— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) April 20, 2018

49 - Under Arsene Wenger, Arsenal went a record 49 consecutive top-flight league games unbeaten from May 2003 to October 2004, breaking Nottingham Forest's previous record of 42 set between November 1977 & November 1978 under Brian Clough. Legendary. pic.twitter.com/IATwyJCkcm

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 20, 2018

Wow. The end of an era. It’s the right decision, and the right time. Thank you Arsene for some of the best football I’ve ever seen, and ever will. https://t.co/qoHugzogDC

— East Lower (@eastlower) April 20, 2018

It's absolutely correct and overdue, but that doesn't make it any less shocking.It's like the Queen dying, you know it's going to happen some day, but when it does, it still feels utterly surreal.

— Tim Stillman (@Stillberto) April 20, 2018

Arsene Wenger built the best teams that I played against in English Football .The 98 team was Amazing.The biggest compliment is that he played football that made us change the way we played against them. He now deserves the most incredible send off from all in the coming weeks.

— Gary Neville (@GNev2) April 20, 2018

Arsene Wenger to leave Arsenal at the end of the season. “To all the Arsenal lovers take care of the values of the club. My love and support for ever.”

— Jeremy Wilson (@JWTelegraph) April 20, 2018

Wenger leaving will inevitably result in a wave of sentimentality, even from people who slagged him off.I don't actually think it's hypocrisy, it's not human nature. You need the announcement as catharsis. A full stop.It's nice. He'll get to know how much people love him.

— Nooruddean (@BeardedGenius) April 20, 2018

Thank you, Arsene. A brilliant manager and a brilliant man who has given this club so much.I think this is the right decision, now let’s go win the Europa League to give his story the end it deserves.I feel very emotional about this. https://t.co/Z3ynnJLVaD

— arseblog (@arseblog) April 20, 2018

#AFC majority owner Stan Kroenke"This is one of the most difficult days we have ever had in all our years in sport."Arsene has unparalleled class and we will always be grateful to him."Everyone who loves Arsenal and everyone who loves football owes him a debt of gratitude." pic.twitter.com/97zP7sgoG6

— Omnisport (@OmnisportNews) April 20, 2018

Most of us wanted change. But deep down we all love that man, and we all know he truly cares about our club. Full houses for the rest of the season. Europa League Winners please. Big Weng 👊🏻

— AFCAMDEN (@AFCAMDEN) April 20, 2018

Obviously feel down that the Club’s saying goodbye to a legend who’s given us some of the best football of ours lives. That said, it’s the right decision & timing. Time for the fans & players to now truly galvanise & give our Professor the send off he deserves. #OneArsèneWenger

— Andrew (@PR_WhoRu) April 20, 2018

I'm sure there were many discussions with Wenger regarding his future at #Arsenal. I'm just glad he eventually chose to step down rather than suffer the ignominy of getting sacked after more than two decades at the club.

— Rohith Nair (@RohithNair) April 20, 2018

"One day I'll go up to heaven & He will ask ‘What have you done with your life?’The only answer I have is ‘I tried to win football games’." pic.twitter.com/wz684neq8Q

— Quotes of Wenger (@QuotesOfWenger) March 24, 2017

Arsene Wenger releases a statement regarding his departure. A touch of class from the man. pic.twitter.com/5D1kB9XUqi

— Paddy Power (@paddypower) April 20, 2018

Premier League wins:Arsene Wenger: 473Tottenham: 420

— Duncan Alexander (@oilysailor) April 20, 2018

Arsene Wenger – Arsenal recordMost successful manager in Arsenal’s history - 10 major trophiesWon 3 PL titles (1997-98, 2001-02 & 2003-04)Finished in PL top 4 in each of first 20 seasons at ArsenalPL record: P823 W473 D199 L151 #PL pic.twitter.com/DKFdPuhRDO

— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) April 20, 2018

My favourite Arsene Wenger quote: "I believe the target of anything in life should be to do it so well that it becomes an art."For a decade, he did that.

— Daniel Storey (@danielstorey85) April 20, 2018

Arsene Wenger. Arsenal manager from 1996 to 2018. pic.twitter.com/xODMUBjBxr

— JOE.co.uk (@JOE_co_uk) April 20, 2018

7 - Arsene Wenger has won the FA Cup seven times, more than any other manager in history. King. pic.twitter.com/yziojNGbFZ

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 20, 2018

Top 5 Arsene memories; - Invicibles - 2002 FA Cup final - Signing Mesut Ozil - 2016 FA Cup final - Winning the league at WHL

— The 2Ö21 Man (@_The12thMan) April 20, 2018

823 - Arsene Wenger has managed more Premier League games than any other manager (823) and only Sir Alex Ferguson has won more games (528) than Wenger (473). Longevity. pic.twitter.com/ktdsaZPb1y

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 20, 2018

Personally a mixture of emotions: shock, nervousness, excitement. Huge job for someone to take on. Lots rebuilding to do. #afc

— Sam (@samuelJayC) April 20, 2018

I am happy for the change! I am sad to lose him for what he has done! We are the club we are because of him no matter how u look at him. Appreciate what he has done. But, it was time. #GoodByeArsene

— ♥️ S A D I A ♥️ (@TheGoonerette) April 20, 2018

I’m not crying. You’re crying. Also I’m crying.

— #ThankYouArsene (@gunnerpunner) April 20, 2018

I have learnt so much about football,manners,culture & life by just listening to his press conferences!He has been a shadow of himself over the last 3 seasons but it’s an incredibly sad day!

— Chaitanya Gööner (@chaitugooner) April 20, 2018

Beyond the Double, beyond one of the most brilliant teams ever seen in England, perhaps the most impressive thing about Wenger is the grace with which he has dealt with relentless and half-baked criticism and abuse over the last decade.

— Kit Holden (@KitHolden) April 20, 2018

Sad to see Wenger go like this. The romantic in me desperately wanted him to win us one more title but it isn’t meant to be. I’m grateful for all that he has done for us. He has given me my best Arsenal-supporting memories. Now, to embrace a new era. #ThankYouArsène

— FK ☕️ (@fkhanage) April 20, 2018

Arguably nobody had a greater influence on changing the culture of English football than Arsene Wenger. I hope his 22 year reign is defined by the Arsenal of Vieira, Henry, Bergkamp, Campbell etc. rather than the meek, surrendering outfit he leaves behind.

— Adam Gray (@AdamGray1250) April 20, 2018

When Wenger steps down, Eddie Howe and Sean Dyche will become the longest-serving managers at clubs in the Premier League. (Both appointed Oct 2012). After that Pochettino (four years), then Chris Hughton.

— Dominic King (@DominicKing_DM) April 20, 2018

Will I step down at the end of the season? Yes. Might I step back up at the start of next season? I haven't decided.

— Wenger Knows Best (@wengerknowsbest) April 20, 2018

Arsene Wenger's record at Arsenal:1,228 games 7 FA Cup 7 Community Shield 3 Premier League 1 unbeaten seasonJust under 22 years in charge of one club. 🔴 pic.twitter.com/l2KNyvQtN9

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) April 20, 2018

86 - Arsene Wenger has won the most Champions League matches (86 - excluding qualifiers) without having ever won the competition. Frustration. pic.twitter.com/UIRbcF1CEE

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 20, 2018

#MerciArsène pic.twitter.com/bjP0wLMgee

— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) April 20, 2018