Arsenal: Sadly, Ian Wright is likely right about Arsene Wenger

Ian Wright has claimed that Arsene Wenger was sacked by Arsenal. Sadly, he is probably right, but the dressing up of his career has clouded the truth.

Arsenal will be without Arsene Wenger next season. The manager confirmed his resignation from the role on Friday morning, accepting that the time had come to end his 22-year reign at a club that he had not only transformed, but through it, transformed the footballing world.

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Much of the focus has already begun to shift towards the future and the club’s hiring process, something that they have not had to do in over two decades. But there is still a little ambiguity in regards to the actioning of the decision.

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Take Ian Wright’s opinion, for instance. The former Arsenal striker believes that Wenger did not actually resign, as his statement suggests. Wright holds the position that Wenger was actually sacked, as his comments in the Sun explain. Here is an extract from his piece:

"“Arsene Wenger is a man of principle, honesty and integrity – that is why I am convinced he has been sacked and not resigned. For all the vitriol and abuse thrown at him, Arsene has never been a man to walk out before the end of a contract. It is a sad situation that it’s come to this and I don’t suppose we will ever find out who is responsible, because they will hide behind each other. One day he is doing a press conference with no hint of this, the next he’s gone. It doesn’t add up.”"

Sadly, I actually agree with Wright. As Gabriele Marcotti, who is a man very much in the know when it comes to professional football, points out in this piece regarding Wenger and his departure, the Gunners told Wenger that they would be releasing him of his services in the summer. It was then up to Wenger to either accept that sacking or announce his departure prior to it and undergo the process a little more gracefully.

Everything adds up. The appointments of Sven Mislintat and Raul Sanllehi. The changes in transfer policy. The empty seats at the Emirates. The growing fan pressure. The reported unrest at board level.

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Unfortunately, I do not think that Wenger gracefully submitted his resignation. This was not a decision that was made willingly for the betterment of the club. It was a forced resignation. And that is very sad indeed.