Arsene Wenger to step down as Arsenal manager tipping Patrick Vieira to succeed him

ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger has announced that he will be leaving the club at the end of the season ending his 22 year spell in north London and putting an end to speculation about his future.

Wenger, 68, will leave a year before his existing contract is due to expire having led the club to three Premier League titles and seven FA Cups. Appointed on 1 October 1996, the Frenchman is the Premier League's current longest-serving manager and has taken charge of a record 823 games.

Mr Wenger said: "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 and 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 and to all the Arsenal lovers, I say take care of the values of the club."

Yesterday, Mr Wenger said that former Arsenal midfielder Patrick Vieira has the potential to succeed him as manager, prompting speculation that the firmer Gunners skipper may be appointed as the new man to lead the club. Stan Kroenke, Arsenal's majority shareholder has  asked fans around the world to pay an appropriate tribute to Mr Wenger, who transformed the identity of the club.

Mr Kroenke said: "This is one of the most difficult days we have ever had in all our years in sport. One of the main reasons we got involved with Arsenal was because of what Arsène 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. Arsène has unparalleled class and we will always be grateful to him and everyone who loves Arsenal and everyone who loves football owes him a debt of gratitude."

Over recent years, Arsenal has been on the decline and this season, the club will not qualify for the Uefa Champions League either as it will finish outside the top four in the English Premiership. Last Sunday's 2-1 loss at Newcastle was Arsenal's 11th in the league this season, equalling their worst tally in a campaign under Mr Wenger.

Arsenal finished outside the league's top four last season for the first time since Wenger arrived at the club in 1996 and are now 14 points behind fourth-placed Tottenham, with five matches remaining. Arsenal face Atletico Madrid in the Europa League semi-final with the first leg to come on April 26, in what is the best hope of winning any silverware this season.