Wenger given guard of honour before emotional speech at full-time as Arsenal pay tribute to departing boss in his final home game in charge of the club
Wenger given guard of honour before emotional speech at full-time as Arsenal pay tribute to departing boss in his final home game in charge of the club
Arsenal legend Bob Wilson also delivered a moving speech alongside Pat Rice, Wenger's former assistant manager, and presented the Frenchman with a golden trophy – originally awarded after the Gunners' 'Invincibles' season.
'When Arsene Wenger first arrived at Arsenal, everyone was asking Arsene Who? I was privileged to be the Arsenal goalkeeping coach when he arrived, and it was quickly clear this man knew exactly who he was,' said Wilson.
'Arsene Wenger the visionary, an inspiration, he has built the Arsenal we know and love. He lives and breathes club values. He has changed the face of football in this country, hundreds of players owe their careers to him.
'Arsene is a man who cares deeply about people and helping people be the players they can be, like George Weah, taken from war-torn Liberia to player of the year, to being his country's president. He has always referred to Arsene as his father figure.
'Arsene Wenger is the greatest manager we have ever had. One of football's biggest figures in this global age and a special man.'
Before the match Wenger steps on to the pitch with both teams forming a guard of honour
Sean Dyche and his Burnley players graciously applauded Wenger as he made his way through
Wenger waved to the Emirates crowd as he prepares to stand down after 22 years in charge
Fans displayed signs and posters thanking the Frenchman for all his efforts as manager
Both sets of players formed a guard of honour for the 68-year-old to walk through before kick-off, while players and supporters wore special celebratory t-shirts. Even the match day programme was a special Wenger edition.
Sean Dyche and his Burnley players graciously applauded Wenger as he made his way through the crowd of players.
There were also presentations to club captain Per Mertesacker, who is retiring to take charge of the Arsenal academy, and long serving kit-man Vic Akers after the game.
Supporters and players were provided with special red and white t-shirts with 'Merci Arsene' imprinted on them to commemorate Wenger's final home game.
A banner that reads 'Thank You, Arsene' is placed outside the Emirates Stadium on Sunday
An Arsenal supporter reads the match programme, which was specially dedicated to Wenger
Arsenal's Alexandre Lacazette wears one of the special t-shirts during the warm-up
Arsenal's fans display a banner insisting they will 'forever in debt' to the Frenchman
A 5-0 victory was the perfect home send-off. with Arsenal set to play Huddersfield next week
Arsenal's players all warmed up wearing the same t-shirts which were also given to members of the media situated in the press box.
A banner carrying the same message was unfurled as the two teams emerged from the tunnel, with Wenger coming out after the players to receive a guard of honour.
The first chants of 'there's only one Arsene Wenger' followed as he made his way along the line before shaking hands with Burnley boss Dyche and waving to the crowd.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang opened the scoring for the Gunners, finishing off a lovely move with a tap-in after 14 minutes, before Alexandre Lacazette made it 2-0 just before half-time.
Sead Kolasinac then arrowed a low shot past Nick Pope 10 minutes into the second-half, Alex Iwobi added a fourth and Aubameyang notched a second of the game to ensure Wenger departed the Emirates on a high.
Flanked by his entire playing staff, Wenger delivered a touching speech to supporters and began by sending his best wishes to former adversary Sir Alex Ferguson.
He said: 'I would first like to wish my fellow manager, Alex Ferguson, to get well very quickly.
'Thank you all for having me for such a long time, I know that's not easy, but above all I am like you, I am an Arsenal fan.
'That means this is just more than watching football, it is a way of life, it is caring about the beautiful game, the values we cherish, and something that goes through all of our body, we care, we worry, we are desperate.'
He added: 'I would like to thank everyone at this club who makes this place so special, I want you to support the staff left behind me. This group of players has a special quality on and off the pitch. Support this team next season, they really deserve it.
'I would like to finish with a simple word – I will miss you... Thank you all for being such an important part of my life. Thank you, well done, bye bye.'
Arsenal legend Bob Wilson (left) also delivered a speech alongside Pat Rice (second right)
Wenger then took the microphone and insisted he will miss the Arsenal supporters
Fans, including one wearing a Wenger mask, applaud the boss during his lap of honour
Wenger embraces supporters as he leads his players around the pitch one final time
Arsenal legend Bob Wilson also delivered a moving speech alongside Pat Rice, Wenger's former assistant manager, and presented the Frenchman with a golden trophy – originally awarded after the Gunners' 'Invincibles' season.
'When Arsene Wenger first arrived at Arsenal, everyone was asking Arsene Who? I was privileged to be the Arsenal goalkeeping coach when he arrived, and it was quickly clear this man knew exactly who he was,' said Wilson.
'Arsene Wenger the visionary, an inspiration, he has built the Arsenal we know and love. He lives and breathes club values. He has changed the face of football in this country, hundreds of players owe their careers to him.
'Arsene is a man who cares deeply about people and helping people be the players they can be, like George Weah, taken from war-torn Liberia to player of the year, to being his country's president. He has always referred to Arsene as his father figure.
'Arsene Wenger is the greatest manager we have ever had. One of football's biggest figures in this global age and a special man.'
Arsene Wenger was given an emotional send-off by Arsenal supporters as he took charge of the final home game of his mammoth managerial tenure on Sunday.
The Frenchman is stepping down as Gunners boss after 22 years at the helm and it was a day to remember as his side thrashed Burnley at the Emirates Stadium.
Wenger watched his players produce an emphatic 5-0 win on the pitch but it was after the final whistle had sounded that he received a moving tribute.
Arsene Wenger was given an emotional send-off in his last home game as Arsenal manager
Following the full-time whistle, Wenger delivered a moving speech to the club's supporters
Fans were given commemorative t-shirts while others brought scarves to show their support
An image of Wenger was displayed on the halfway line as he made a lap of honour
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