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"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," the Frenchman said in a
statement issued by the Gunners on Friday.
Wenger, 68, has been with the North Londoners since October 1996
and is by far the longest-serving current manager in English
soccer.
He had a contract that ran until the end of next season.
Arsenal are currently a distant sixth in the league but are in
the semi-finals of the Europa League, which represents their
only realistic route to the Champions League next 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," said Wenger, who urged the fans to
stand behind the team to end the season on a high.
Arsenal's majority owner Stan Kroenke said it was "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 Arsene has brought to the club on and off the
pitch," he said.
"His longevity and consistency over such a sustained period at
the highest level of the game will never be matched."
Wenger won three Premier League titles, including going unbeaten
for an entire season, seven FA Cups and took Arsenal into the
Champions League for 20 years in a row. They won the league and
FA cup double in 1998 and 2002.
The club said a successor would be appointed as soon as possible
with German Thomas Tuchel, out of work since leaving Borussia
Dortmund almost a year ago, installed as the early bookmakers'
favorite.
(This story corrects length of contract in fourth paragraph)
(Reporting by Alan Baldwin; Editing by Matthew Mpoke Bigg)
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