Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger said on Wednesday that the timing of his departure from the Premier League club after nearly 22 years in charge was not his decision.
The north London side announced last week that the 68-year-old would leave the Emirates at the end of the season, despite having one year remaining on his contract.
โThe timing wasnโt really my decision,โ the Frenchman told reporters ahead of Thursdayโs Europa League semi-final first leg against Atletico Madrid. โFor the rest, I have spoken about it already.โ
Wenger had come under sustained pressure from supporters to bow out after a string of disappointing results.
Arsenal, who are sixth in the domestic standings, can still qualify for next seasonโs Champions League by beating Atletico and going on to win the Europa League.
โIs there a perfect goodbye? I donโt know,โ Wenger added. โI want to do as well as I canโฆ This group of players deserve something special and I want to do it for them and achieve it with them.โ
Wenger said he would keep working in football beyond this season but did not specify whether he would take another managerial role.
โHonestly, I donโt know what I will do,โ he said. โWill I take a little rest? I will continue to work, that is for sure. At the moment, Iโm not ready to commit to anything else than to give my best for Arsenal football club.โ
Arsenalโs Ukrainian midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan will miss Thursdayโs first leg at the Emirates, while Mohamed Elneny is out for the remainder of the season with an ankle ligament injury.
