The First Thing Arsene Wenger Said In His Goodbye Speech Was A Message For Sir Alex

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said goodbye to the Emirates on Sunday afternoon in a predictably emotional speech in front of 60,000 people.

It was the perfect send off for the manager of 22 years.

Goals from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette, Sead Kolasinac and Alex Iwobi gave the club arguably their best win of the season against a poor Burnley side.

At the end of the 90 minutes, both home and away fans applauded the manager as he grabbed the microphone and said his thank you's, but his opening sentence was typical Wenger. Classy.

"Firstly, because at Arsenal we care, we would like to wish Sir Alex Ferguson to get well very quickly."

Sir Alex Ferguson vs. Arsene Wenger was once the biggest rivalry in football management.

It was at a time when Manchester United and Arsenal battled for supremacy at the top of the league, as the likes of Roy Keane and Patrick Vieira exchanged words, and a few tackles. Take us back, please.

It was one of more feisty relationships in Premier League history, but the pair have since put their differences behind them and remain good friends

Sir Alex himself paid a touching tribute to the Arsenal manager after he announced that he was going to leave the club at the end of the season:

"I am really happy for Arsene Wenger," Sir Alex told Manchester United's official website.

"I have great respect for him and for the job he has done at Arsenal.

"It is great testament to his talent, professionalism and determination that he has been able to dedicate 22 years of his life to a job that he loves. In an era where football managers sometimes only last one or two seasons, it shows what an achievement it is to serve that length of time at a club the size of Arsenal.

"I am pleased that he has announced he is leaving at this stage of the season, as he can now have the send-off that he truly deserves. He is, without doubt, one of the greatest Premier League managers and I am proud to have been a rival, a colleague and a friend to such a great man."

We wish Sir Alex all the best in his recovery. Our thoughts and prayers go out to him and his family.

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Topics: Football News, Football, Arsene Wenger, Premier League, Arsenal

Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare is a writer at SPORTbible. He's interviewed some of the biggest names in sport, including Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Pele, Carles Puyol and Tim Henman. He dabbles in all things sport but football is his biggest passion. He was once hit in the head by a wayward strike from Nicky Butt and lived to tell the tale.

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