I’m a newer fan who only started watching the club over the past 2 seasons. I’ve been trying to learn the history of the club, and I’m confused why there was hate for Wenger at the end of his career. I learned that he lead the invincible’s, and that amazing squad from the early 2000s, he gave us the only champions league final appearance in club history, and even after that he seem to do an amazing job. Heck he even got a new Stadium that is really nice. He seemed to be loved. By all accounts he should be a Saint to the gooners but then I look forward a few years, and they were all these Wenger out protests. What led to such a fall from grace.
Just watch some of our performances in big games against the big 4 and in the CL in the last few seasons of his tenure. He was very stubborn with his tactics and failed to adapt to the modern game.
No other big team got routinely battered worse than us. It’s not so much defeats but the manner of the defeats. Those consecutive 5-1 defeats to Bayern killed my soul. I felt nothing after that because I was so used to it.
Before then we had some truly glorious moments and for me, he is still greatest manager we’ve ever had. I will always love him for that. The statue is well deserved.