Arsenal

Paul Merson: 'Timing of Arsene Wenger announcement is perfect'

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 20 April 2018

Arsenal legend Paul Merson says that the timing of Arsene Wenger's decision to announce his future departure from the Gunners is "perfect".

Former Arsenal forward Paul Merson has praised the timing of Arsene Wenger's decision to leave the Gunners.

On Friday, Wenger announced that he will step down from his position as manager in the summer, bringing to an end a 22-year spell in charge of the club.

Merson has previously worked under Wenger, and the ex-England international feels that the decision of the Frenchman will give supporters the opportunity to pay their long-serving boss "respect" during the closing weeks of the campaign.

The 50-year-old told Sky Sports News: "It's great timing, with a massive football match coming up. I think the fans get behind him now until the end of the season.

"It's good, everybody can pay their respects to him now, for how great he was as a manager. It's perfect timing. You didn't want it to fizzle out, not have a good performance against West Ham. You didn't want him to drift away.

"It gives the fans the chance to pack the Emirates between now and the end of the season. He is a legend. Legend is used loosely in football, but at Arsenal he is a legend, there's no doubt about that."

Wenger has won three Premier League titles and seven FA Cups at Arsenal, but the North London outfit currently sit 33 points adrift of champions Manchester City in the standings.