After Paris Saint-Germain was removed from the list, I led England to victory!
Chapter 273 Thank you, Arsena
Inside the Emirates Stadium, a sea of red and white filled all the stands.
Flags fluttered here, and songs echoed under the enormous dome.
There's no match here today, but the atmosphere is more intense than at any other game.
Today is not only a glorious coronation, but also a legendary farewell ceremony.
The stage was set up on the central lawn of the stadium, with lights focused on four gleaming gold championship trophies.
Premier League, Champions League, League Cup, FA Cup.
The time for the ceremony has arrived.
The lights suddenly went out, plunging the entire venue into solemn darkness.
A giant screen lit up, and an epic symphony began to play.
The video begins playing: Yan Yuan's magnificent backflip shot, Aubameyang's aerial bicycle kick; Yan Yuan's sprint to celebrate his 49th goal in the Premier League; Saka's celebration after scoring his first Premier League goal; Martin's heroic save in the League Cup followed by his teammates piling on top of each other; Rodri's beautiful pass in the FA Cup...
Every scene was accompanied by the frantic shouts and final whistle from the live sound recording.
This is a glorious moment for the quadruple champions, the culmination of the Gunners' blood and sweat throughout the season.
Fans held their breath, reliving those moments that had thrilled and moved them to tears.
The music gradually became soothing and affectionate.
The scene changed again:
A young Wenger stands confidently on the sidelines at Highbury; Thierry Henry's lightning speed during the unbeaten season; Dennis Bergkamp's elegant ball control; Robin van Persie's volley; Cesc Fabregas's precise long pass; the first shovel of earth at the Emirates Stadium's foundation stone laying ceremony;
Wenger commanded with composure in the storm, embraced his players after victories, and stood alone during defeats...
The narration, in a low and affectionate tone, recounts Wenger's 22 years with Arsenal, including his glory, perseverance, controversy, and dedication.
Finally, the image freezes on Wenger gazing affectionately at the Emirates Stadium from behind, with French subtitles appearing.
"Merci, Arsène. Forever Arsenal."
The video ends here.
The applause erupted the moment the lights came back on.
As the team song roused, the entrance passage to the stage lit up.
Club staff representatives and young players from the youth academy were the first to enter the stadium, waving to the stands. These people represent Arsenal's foundation and future.
Next up are the coaching staff.
Then, the players.
Their faces were beaming with smiles as they walked out in order of their numbers or merits.
Veterans like Pepe and Ramsey received extra applause and respect.
Aubameyang, Odegaard, Martinez, Rodri...
The key players elicited cheers.
Finally, Yan Yuan's figure appeared in the light and shadow at the entrance of the passage.
He was the last player to come out today, waving his hands to greet the fans.
The entire stadium erupted in a deafening roar:
"YAN! YAN! CAPTAIN!"
The music changed again, becoming soothing and affectionate, with the instrumental melody of "North London Forever".
All the lights were focused on the entrance to the passageway.
A figure, all alone, slowly walked out.
It's Arsène Wenger.
Wenger doesn't usually walk slowly.
But he walked very slowly today.
As he walked, his gaze slowly swept over the magnificent stadium he had poured half his life's blood into building, and over the surging sea of red and white in the stands.
Wenger's eyes held a complex mix of pride, reluctance, satisfaction, and indescribable emotion.
"One Arsène Wenger! There's Only One Arsène Wenger!"
Sixty thousand people stood up in unison!
The applause was thunderous and lasted for a long time.
The elderly fans with white hair were in tears, while the young fans shouted his name at the top of their lungs.
Wenger stopped and faced all four sides of the stands, bowing deeply, deeply.
Once, twice, three times...
Each time he bent over, it elicited an even louder roar.
He looked up, his eyes already wet with tears. He took off his glasses and gently wiped the corners of his eyes with a handkerchief.
This tribute lasted for several minutes.
It is a thank you for everything he has brought to this club.
Everyone has arrived.
Club CEO Gazidis walked to the microphone in the center of the stage, his voice filled with excitement.
"Ladies and gentlemen! Tonight, we gather here to celebrate an unprecedented achievement: an unbeaten quadruple in the English top flight! Premier League! Champions League! League Cup! FA Cup! Glory to Arsenal! Glory to every one of you!"
"At the same time, tonight is also a heartfelt farewell. We are about to pay tribute to a legend, a great man who dedicated his life to Arsenal. But first, let us hear the voices of our heroes!"
Ramsey, the veteran Arsenal player who is about to leave in the summer transfer window, was brought to the microphone.
His voice was choked with emotion.
"This season has been nothing short of a dream."
Four trophies, an unbeaten season… but we all know who paved the way for us. Professor,” he said, looking at Wenger.
"You taught us what Arsenal football is, what the never-give-up spirit is. Without the foundation you laid, there would be no glory today. Thank you, BOSS!" He bowed deeply.
Aubameyang then spoke,
"I have to say... this season has been crazy, four titles, this feels better than any goal. I want to thank my teammates, especially our captain, who always gets the ball to the most comfortable place."
Of course, I also want to thank the professor. You trusted me, discovered me at Dortmund, and gave me this opportunity. Tonight's glory is inseparable from you!
Next up are Lacazette, Odegaard, Martin Martínez, Pepe…
Finally, everyone's attention was focused on Yan Yuan, who was giving the final speech.
Yan Yuan walked to the microphone and took a deep breath.
"Guns, fans!" he said clearly, eliciting a huge wave of cheers from a particular area of the stands.
"Standing here today, sharing these trophies with you, I feel incredibly proud, but even more so, a profound sense of responsibility. This honor doesn't belong to any one person; it belongs to every brother who fought on the field, to every staff member who worked tirelessly off the field, and most importantly, to you, the Gunners fans who have always been with us through thick and thin!!"
He turned to Wenger, his voice filled with genuine emotion:
"professor."
This call silenced the entire room instantly.
"You are not just our coach, but also our mentor, the soul of Arsenal. You taught us far more than just how to play football; you taught us how to be a person, how to face challenges, and how to uphold our beliefs. This stadium, these trophies, all embody your hard work and wisdom. Thank you, Boss! You will always be a legend in our hearts!"
There was thunderous applause.
Yan Yuan calmed himself down and swept his gaze firmly across the room.
"Winning the quadruple is the end of glory, but the beginning of a new journey! We will not stop! We will continue to fight for the badge on our chests, and for all of you! Glory belongs to Arsenal! Once a Gunner, always a Gunner!"
"Arsenal! Arsenal! Arsenal!" The entire stadium responded in unison, the roar deafening.
After Yan Yuan finished speaking.
Gazidis stepped forward again, his voice solemn and affectionate.
"Now, ladies and gentlemen, let's give a warm welcome to Arsenal's greatest manager in history, Arsène Wenger, with the warmest applause and the most heartfelt songs!"
The applause, singing, and shouts reached another peak.
Wenger slowly walked to the microphone in the center of the stage.
He needed a moment to calm his turbulent emotions.
He took off his glasses, then put them back on, his gaze sweeping over the familiar faces in the audience.
His players, the children he had nurtured; his gaze swept over countless pairs of eyes in the stands, filled with tears and respect.
"Tonight," Wenger's voice trembled, yet it carried clearly and steadily to every corner of the stadium.
"Standing here, looking at this stadium, looking at you all, looking at these trophies... my heart is filled with indescribable emotions."
He paused for a moment, as if searching for the most suitable word.
"For 22 years, from the grass at Highbury to the lights of the Emirates Stadium, and you, Arsenal fans, your loyalty, passion, and unconditional support have sustained me through countless days and nights, whether it was the ecstasy of victory or the bitterness of defeat. You are the true soul of this club."
He looked towards the stands, his eyes filled with gratitude.
"I also want to thank my players, past and present, especially the lads standing here right now."
He looked at Yan Yuan, Aubameyang, Odegaard, and the other young men.
"You have fulfilled the dreams of all of us. With your unparalleled performance, you have written the most glorious chapter in Arsenal's history. This season, this quadruple, is an immortal achievement. It proves the power of belief, team spirit, and the beautiful football we pursue."
This is the perfect ending to my coaching career, and I am incredibly proud of each and every one of you.
Wenger's voice was choked with emotion.
The entire stadium was silent, with only Wenger's voice echoing.
"I... am about to leave the coaching bench," he took a deep breath and announced this news, which he already knew but which still sent chills down his spine.
"But my heart will always belong to Arsenal."
I have seen the potential of this team, I have seen a leader like Yan Yuan, and I have seen a bright future. I believe that Arsenal's legend will continue to be written in your hands.
Wenger paused again, composed himself, and then spoke.
"On this glorious night, with incredibly mixed feelings but also with high hopes for the future, I announce that I will be officially retiring from my position as manager of Arsenal Football Club."
Despite being prepared.
But sighs and soft sobs instantly filled the air.
Wenger's voice was filled with deep longing.
"Thank you, thank you Arsenal, for giving me the best journey of my life. Once a Gunner, always a Gunner."
Finally, Wenger said in a low voice.
"I love you all, I love everything here."
Wenger took off his glasses and wiped the corner of his eye.
Then he bowed deeply to the entire audience.
Applause and singing instantly swept through the entire Emirates Stadium and lasted for a long time.
Many fans were in tears, chanting in French.
"Merci Arsène!" (Thank you, Arsène!)
Next.
The host invited several iconic players from the Wenger era to the stage: Henry, Vieira, Bergkamp, and Pires.
They embraced Wenger warmly one by one, whispering words of blessing.
Henry spoke on behalf of the team, his words brief yet heartfelt: "Boss, thank you for everything. You shaped us, you shaped Arsenal, you are a legend forever."
Gazidis returned to the stage, holding a specially made, exquisitely designed crystal trophy with the outline of Highbury and the Emirates Stadium, the quadruple crown logo, and Wenger's signature engraved on the base.
"Mr. Alsena," Gazidis said solemnly.
"In recognition of your unparalleled contributions to Arsenal Football Club, the club has decided to award you a Lifetime Achievement Award!"
At the same time, we announce that the main stand at the Emirates Stadium will be officially named the "Arsène Wenger Stand"!
The design of the grandstand nameplate was displayed on the large screen.
The audience erupted in thunderous applause and cheers once again.
Wenger accepted the trophy, his eyes glistening with tears of emotion.
Finally, Wenger picked up a specially made item from the stage.
It was a leather football inlaid with the Arsenal crest and engraved with "1996-2019".
He walked up to Yan Yuan.
"Yan," Wenger's voice was gentle yet solemn.
"The future belongs to you, my captain."
Wenger passed the ball to Yan Yuan.
"Lead them, keep going, uphold the Arsenal spirit, and play Arsenal-style football."
Yan Yuan accepted the token symbolizing Arsenal's legacy with both hands, his eyes filled with unwavering determination.
He embraced Wenger tightly, his voice choked with emotion.
"I will, Professor... I definitely will... I promise."
At this moment, the spirit and responsibility of an era have been handed over.
The rousing climax of "We Are the Champions" begins.
Wenger, Yan Yuan, all the players, coaching staff members, and representatives of the legends walked together to the center of the stage.
They gathered around the four championship trophies.
The host began the countdown: "Three! Two! One!"
"We are the champions!!!"
Amidst the deafening shouts of 60,000 people, everyone raised the four heavy championship trophies high above their heads!
"boom--!!!"
Brilliant fireworks erupted simultaneously above the stage and around the stadium.
Golden, red, and white ribbons cascaded down from the ceiling like a waterfall.
The lights were dazzling! The music was deafening!
The entire Emirates Stadium was transformed into a sea of joy and glory.
The camera panned across every face: Wenger's tearful smile, Yan Yuan's resolute gaze, Aubameyang's cheers, Martinez's triumphant shouts.
There were also tears from older fans on the sidelines, and screams from younger fans...
All emotions are released in this moment.
The music seamlessly switched to "North London Forever".
Wenger, Yan Yuan, Henry, Bergkamp...
Everyone stood hand in hand, shoulder to shoulder, facing the stands, leading the 60,000 fans in a loud singing!
The song is no longer just a simple melody, but a torrent of emotions, a tribute to the past, a remembrance of the present, and an aspiration for the future.
As the singing subsided, the players walked off the stage and along the inner track, interacting closely with the fans in the front rows of the stands.
High five, autographs, photos, hugs.
Yan Yuan was surrounded by enthusiastic fans, and he patiently fulfilled every request, always with a warm smile on his face.
The host gave a final summary.
"Tonight, glory belongs to Arsenal! The legend never ends! Thank you everyone! See you next season!"
The players and Wenger once again bowed deeply to the stands on all four sides to express their gratitude.
After the acknowledgments are completed.
This is the moment when Wenger will take his final bow alone.
Wenger walked to the players' tunnel accompanied by the players on the field.
The music of "Time to Say Goodbye" started playing.
The soft light focused on him.
This was the last time he looked around the Emirates Stadium with deep emotion as head coach.
His gaze slowly swept over every inch of grass and every stand, finally settling on the four gleaming gold trophies.
Wenger's face showed relief, satisfaction, and sadness at parting.
He raised his hand and waved goodbye one last time to the land and people he loved so dearly.
The lights slowly dimmed, leaving only a beam of light.
On the big screen, a freeze-frame showed a close-up of Wenger waving goodbye, and French reappeared:
"Merci Arsène. Legend Forever."
The applause from the audience, along with the figure that carried countless honors and memories, slowly disappeared at the end of the passage.
Yan Yuan and the others watched Wenger's figure disappear at the end of the players' tunnel.
The lights came back on, and soothing closing music began to play.
The fans were reluctant to part, many still singing, clapping, wiping away tears, and reminiscing about this night intertwined with supreme glory and a profound farewell.
In the center of the stadium, the four real championship trophies gleamed under the lights.
They were the final swan song of the Wenger era.
Meanwhile, these four trophies quietly await the start of a new era for the Gunners.
Emirates Stadium
The night of the legendary coach's farewell will be forever remembered.
The Wenger era has come to a glorious end.
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