Arsene Wenger is to leave Arsenal at the end of the season, ending a near 22-year reign at the club.
The Frenchman departs a year before his latest contract was due to expire.
The Gunners are sixth in the league and set to miss out on a top-four spot for the second straight season, with their hopes of reaching the Champions League resting on winning the Europa League.
Wenger, 68, won three Premier League titles and seven FA Cups, including the Double in 1998 and 2002.
Wenger's statement
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.
I am grateful for having had the privilege to serve the club for so many memorable years.
I managed the club with full commitment and integrity.
I want to thank the staff, the players, the Directors and the fans who make this club so special.
I urge our fans to stand behind the team to finish on a high.
To all the Arsenal lovers take care of the values of the club.
My love and support for ever.
Arsenal majority shareholder Stan Kroenke described Friday's announcement as "one of the most difficult days we have ever had in all our years in sport".
He added: "One of the main reasons we got involved with Arsenal was because of what Arsene has brought to the club on and off the pitch.
"His longevity and consistency over such a sustained period at the highest level of the game will never be matched."
Appointed on 1 October 1996, he is the Premier League's current longest-serving manager and has taken charge of a record 823 games.
But some fans have turned on the Frenchman over the past two seasons as a result of their league performances.
Sunday's 2-1 defeat at Newcastle was their 11th in the league this season, equalling their worst tally in a campaign under Wenger.
They are 33 points behind leaders Manchester City, who have 87 points, and the same number away from bottom side West Brom, who have 21.
Arsenal finished outside the top four last term for the first time since Wenger arrived at the club, and are now 14 points behind fourth-placed Tottenham, with five matches remaining.
They face Spanish side Atletico Madrid, who are second in La Liga, in the Europa League semi-finals, with the first leg on Thursday.
Wenger's ups and downs
Wenger won three Premier League titles and four FA Cups in his first nine seasons in charge.
In 2003-04, he became the first manager since 1888-89 to lead a team through an English top-flight season unbeaten.
But after winning the 2005 FA Cup, they waited another nine years - or 3,283 days - for their next silverware. It came as they beat Hull City to win the 2014 FA Cup, before winning the trophy again the following season.
Wenger won his seventh FA Cup last season, beating Chelsea 2-1 at Wembley, but finished 18 points behind Antonio Conte's Premier League champions.
His side have struggled in Europe since losing to Barcelona in 2006 Champions League final.
They were eliminated at the last-16 stage for the seventh successive season on their last appearance in the competition in 2017, losing 10-2 on aggregate to Bayern Munich.
In 2006, they moved into the £390m Emirates Stadium after leaving Highbury.
The Gunners have consistently spent less than their main Premier League rivals on new signings, but Wenger twice broke the club's transfer record this season.
France striker Alexandre Lacazette joined in the summer for £46.5m, while his final signing was Gabon striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang for £56m in January.
tujiazu
526
Wenger always
Rajat30
410
this is not Breaking, this is the most delayed news
aqib_10_
367
arsenal fans be like
Godvictor
257
At last a breath of fresh air for some good news from North London
Osikani_Gooner
205
I guess all the WENGER OUT whiners have finally got their wish, now who are you going to replace this man with? There is no coach who will come in and turn our fortunes overnight even if we give him £ 200m. I just wish you can win this Europa to end ur long awaited European title. Good Luck on ur next adventure and Thanks Professor for all the good and bad times.
fupdn
164
For goodness sake, the man has just announced his departure and there are still people hurling disrespectful abuse at him. The man deserves nothing but praise for having achieved the impossible (invincibles, record FA Cups/Community Shields, building new stadium etc etc etc), and even if there have been some very patchy moments in recent years, no more negative reaction to him or the club for the remainder of the season. They still have ALOT to play for, and the rest of the season has to be war for all of them. This is not an occasion for early champagnes (though there should be lots of celebrations at the end of the season), but a solemn reminder of what the man has done for the club and what he deserves in his final months at the club. For once in years, unite, Arsenal fans, and stand behind your team! They need you right now! Nothing but words of encouragement from now on!
Amlaniishaan4
139
Finally it’s happening
Posbky
136
I was in a primary school when this man started managing arsenal. And now im a father of two kids. For 22 years,he dealt with lots of bashing,being put under pressure,and fairly he achieved succesfull period too with titles under him. He earned my respect for not backing off and stayed with the same club and trying everything for this one club for more than 2 decades! 🙌🙌 #RESPECT
Akri_Edits
128
Breaking News : Arsenal Announcement That Today is Their Independent Day Finally ✋️
ficcdkmps
118
I think you have done your path respect due for your time
Alaga ibile 02
105
Arsène Wenger at Arsenal: 👀 22 years 🔴 1228 games ✅ 704 wins 🏆 3 Premier League titles 🏆 7 FA Cups 🏆 7 Community Shields 🙌 20 consecutive years in the Champions League
futemprsu
96
I thought it's April 1st
lulu
89
Thank you! Professor...good luck
bizzysmalls
70
Sky Sports have officially announced that Arsenal Fan TV will not be quite as good as it was before from the end of this season. #EndofanEra #thanksRobbie
Barcelona-Arsenal
68
As as an Arsenal fan, I am grateful for everything he has brought us. his consistency in the epl was beyond belief before last season, and he is still the manager with an undefeated season under his belt. He was able to deal with very little funding for a large portion of his tine because of the move from highbury to emirates took away much of the transfer budget, yet he wa s able to find many irreplaceable gems. he has brought us a lot in these 22 years, he has been managing arsenal since i was a ver small child. I am glad he decided to step down rather than get sacked, because i manager with the legacy of his didnt deserve to marr it like that. May his successor, whether a former Arsenal captain who is currently managing NycFC, or another manager comes in, wish them best of luck in trying to "get to Arsene's level"
lopacdkn
54
They can have their club, Mr. Professor. It's time to rest. There's too much you've borne these ladt few years. The undeserved scathing criticisms and protests, disrespectful twitter handles and banners. The most patient of managers ever to thread the earth. Your name is already immortal. It shall be well with you. You'll enjoy your remaining days and have a sweet old age. You'll die a very peaceful, sweet death. Cheers!
Yuuacdmrtz
49
After nearly 22 eventful years on the sadle, he leavs and all went quite. This quitness is going to be shortlived when a new manager mounts. There would be more spending. No new records shall come soon Consistency of champions league appearance would be lost Manager players altercation wouldbswell up The fans eyes would open and they would yell that the professor should sign back. Chuks Ordi
ghanimo
47
If true I am both happy & sad. I remember Wenger coming to the club and revolutionising English football. He gave me some of my happiest memories. Thank you Professor
ghanimo
46
I've supported Arsenal under Bertie Mee, Terry Neill and Don Howe, Don Howe on his own, George Graham, Bruce Rioch and finally Arsene Wenger - I remember the barren years, the boring football and the chants of boring boring Arsenal. Wenger transformed the club, he gave us hope he gave us exciting football, he allowed us to compete with the big boys, in fact for quite a few of those years we were one of the big boys. In a conversation I had with legend Perry Groves a few years back, he held the opinion that Wenger would not be fully appreciated inside the club and outside until after he had retired - Thak you for all you have done Arsene (except for getting rid of Highbury) - I'm glad you are going on your own terms. Good luck for the future and will be interesting to see which manager is bought in and will guarantee the immediate success the overseas fans beleive he/she will.
Abpool
36
Arsenal club and fans should be grateful of what Arsène Wenger did for them. He offered them one thing which is missing now in English clubs “stability”.
lopacdkn
30
Wenger is simply not just the greatest manager Arsenal will ever have; he's the best thing to have happened to Arsenal FC and of course the EPL. He is the most patient and loyal manager any club could have. Wenger gave everything to Arsenal FC yet many of the club's fans never appreciated him. He bore so much pain and sorrow caused by fans and pundits. He turned down numerous glorious opportunities to move to big money spending clubs that would have made him win big things. He was chastised, lambasted and castigated by many of Arsenal fans and the media. Undeserved protests staged, stadium boycotted, disrespeful and denigrating twitter handles created...Yet this man patiently bore everything, with excruciating emotional pain. Everything Wenger did he did for Arsenal FC. Now his haters can celebrate: The bad manager they ever had would go! Wenger never deserved all the heinous things meted to him. All those who perpetrated the campaign to frustrate Wenger and cause disharmony in the squad or club as a whole must realise that they only succeeded in hurting themselves and the club, not Wenger as they will never ever in this life, or even the next to come, get close to where the Prof has stood and where he'll forever stand. They must apologise for the mischief if they have any trace of conscience in their veins. Wenger has decided to move on and it shall be well with him.