Arsene Wenger returned to Arsenal for the first time since leaving for their Premier League clash against West Ham – and he received a wonderful reception from those inside the Emirates.
The Frenchman stepped down as Arsenal manager in 2018, ending a near 22-year reign as manager. He left behind a legacy of 10 major trophies and more than 800 Premier League games.
But despite winning three league titles and seven FA Cups, his final seasons were far from pretty, with chants of “Wenger out” ringing around the Emirates on a regular basis towards the end of his reign.
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That being said, the 73-year-old finally returned to his former stomping ground on Monday night for their 3-1 win against West Ham and was serenaded with the "There's only one Arsene Wenger" chant.
Wenger, who must have been emotional after such a reception, thanked those who chanted with a warm wave.
Arsenal fans were quick to react on social media. One said: "Seeing that reaction from Arsene Wenger brought a tear to the eye, legend of a man," while another commented: "Tears in my eyes."
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A third said: "Lovely to see Arsene Wenger back at the Emirates and for him to get such a warm reception from the crowd. It was overdue and I’m glad it happened at last."
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta praised fans for giving Wenger the reception he deserved.
"Arsene picked the right moment," he said after the win. "I thought the performance today was at the level he deserved.
"The players didn’t know. It was a special day, so thank you so much [to Arsene] for coming. Walking through stadium he’s going to feel what everyone thinks of him…he’s been such an influence."
In an interview with The Telegraph last year, Wenger said he thinks think people are "quite harsh" about the last years of his spell at Arsenal.
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"In 2016 we finished second in the league. Leicester won but other teams were behind Leicester as well, and Leicester only lost three games," he said.
"In 2017 we did not qualify for the top four for the first time in 20 years but we got 75 points.
"People don't realise. We won the [FA] Cup against Chelsea who had just won the championship and had the chance of winning the double.
"And after, in 2018, we lost the League Cup final against (Manchester) City, we lost in the semi-final of the Europa League against Atletico Madrid but by just one goal."
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"But look, I gave the best years of my career to develop what I think is important - the stadium and pay it back and put the club in a position where it was capable of facing the future and had the potential to do well.
"At the end of the day, above all, we won and what I am most proud about is putting the club in that position."
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Featured Image Credit: Peacock/Premier LeagueTopics: Arsene Wenger, Arsenal, Premier League, West Ham United
