Johnny Phillips: Farewell Arsene Wenger...truly a class act

It finished 1-0 to the Arsenal – a scoreline more fitting of one of his predecessors, George Graham. That said, the goal itself had Wenger’s imprint all over it; a quick passing move that cut through the home defence in deadly fashion. It was a timely victory too. The Gunners hadn’t won away from home in 2018 but they managed to turn it around just in time to send their long-serving manager off in the manner he deserved.

Wenger was on fantastic form throughout the day. Before the game he was given a framed commemorative shirt by the Huddersfield manager David Wagner. On greeting his opposite number in the tunnel, Wenger had some kind words. “Well done. You made a miracle,” he said to Wagner, in reference to the Terriers’ survival in the Premier League after being odds-on favourites to be relegated when the season began.

Wenger has never been a fan of the contractually obliged pre-match interview in the tunnel area before the match, but this time he was happy to talk about the game and the occasion.

“Herbert Chapman, maybe our greatest manager, came from here,” Wenger said. “For me to come here on the last day had a special meaning when you know the history of our club.” He admitted that there was nothing on the match as a contest at all, but argued it was still important to try and sign off with a win for his 1,235th and final match at the helm.

He was given a guard of honour by both sets of players before kick-off. Then on 22 minutes (marking the number of years he was in charge) the Huddersfield fans rose from their seats to applaud the Frenchman, who looked genuinely touched by the gesture.

Arsenal fans have shown themselves to be leaders in the field when it comes to aeronautical displays of emotion. No fewer than four banners were flown over the ground with various messages of gratitude to the manager, leaving the sort of carbon footprint normally found at Gatwick. Actually, make that three messages of support. One of the banners bore the threat ‘Kroenke you’re next,’ which seemed slightly out of keeping with the mood of appreciation.

During our post-match interview, Wenger said it was with great sadness that he left the club and admitted it would be hard to adjust to life away from Arsenal. He then thanked the Arsenal players, staff and supporters. There were several rounds of post-match interviews for broadcasters before attending the main press conference. After all his media commitments were over – and long after the full-time whistle – he went back out pitch-side and signed autographs for the Huddersfield and Arsenal fans still in the ground.

There is no manager who displays more humility and class than Wenger. For over two decades he has shown himself to be an incredibly engaging and articulate man. Speaking to members of the club’s media team on Sunday, it was clear how much they were going to miss their long-serving manager.

It is the media staff who can bear the brunt of a manager’s frustration or anger when things are not going well. Not once could any member of Arsenal’s media team recall Wenger ever snapping. Year after year after year he answered every question put to him by journalists. Every difficult subject put in front of him he dealt with respectfully and with dignity. He bore no grudges towards journalists no matter how severe the criticism.

There were many occasions when Wenger became a target for other managers. His rivalry with Sir Alex Ferguson was intense. In later years it was Jose Mourinho who picked him out for criticism. Much of it was unfair. Wenger never once punched below the belt in retaliation.

Wenger had a great sense of perspective. Even in those early years when he became notorious for failing to see controversial incidents on the pitch when asked about them afterwards. We all knew it was his way of politely declining to get involved in a row.

He would stand firm in the face of provocation on the touchline, though. Mourinho and Alan Pardew will testify to that. Perhaps the only thing that got the better of him in the dug-out was the zip on that long raincoat he wore in winter.

Humility is rare among modern-day managers. Our Soccer Saturday presenter Jeff Stelling tells a story that sums up the character of the man. Stelling was hosting a corporate event where Wenger was the guest speaker.

Knowing that Wenger never really made it as a player, Stelling dropped in a cheeky question during their question and answer session. “How good a player were you Arsene?” he asked.

“I was the best,” was Wenger’s deadpan reply. “In my village.”