Arsene Wenger admit That He was sack

The Gunners boss will end his 22-year reign in charge of the club at the end of the season after his
shocked departure was announced last week.

When his exit was first revealed, Arsenal released a statement saying the decision was mutual between club and boss.

But Wenger, 68, today shed new light on what happened when he was asked why he was leaving with a year left on his contract and the Europa League semi-final with Atletico Madrid looming.

He said: “The timing was not my decision. The rest I have spoken about it already.”

SunSport revealed last Saturday how chief executive Ivan Gazidis had finally won his power battle and forced Wenger out of the club 12 months earlier than the Frenchman wanted.

That leaves the Frenchman desperate to finish his career with the North London club in the best way possible – by delivering his first European trophy.

It has been a torrid season for Wenger, subjected to increasing criticism from sections of the club’s supporters as well as former players and the media.

During that time his players have also had their own performances scrutinised, with damning assessments delivered against many of them.

It is why Wenger wants to round off his career with Arsenal by steering his much-maligned group of players to Europa League glory and the Champions League qualification it would bring.

He added: “Is there a perfect goodbye? I don’t know. I just want to do as well as I can.

“This team, it is quality. I have seen these guys challenged mentally, always respond in the right way.

“This group of players deserve something special. I want to do it for them, to achieve something for them.

“My biggest satisfaction would be to do it with this group of players. I have seen what they have done this season, if we did win it, they would deserve it.

“This team has quality, two years ago we finished second in the league, last year we had 75pts and won the FA Cup then the Community Shield.

“This year we have reached the League Cup Final and are in the semi-final of the Europa League. These players have quality.

“I am convinced in the future, with two or three additions this team has the quality to fight for the championship.”