‘It’s a time to honour him and look forward’

Ivan Gazidis has been with us for almost 10 years and he’s worked closely with Arsene Wenger since day one.

So the chief executive has had a perfect insight into the way Wenger operates - inside and outside of football.

In this part of Ivan’s press conference transcript the CEO recalls his standout memories of working with the boss and the regular speculation over Wenger’s future.

on whether this is the right decision…

The decision had to happen at one point. I think what I could say to that is that I don’t think the club has ever been better prepared for that decision. Now it’s time for us to look forward and, as I say, I think we can do it with confidence.

on whether the new manager will have the same power and influence as Wenger…

Arsène earned his position at this club over 22 years. I don’t think there will be other managers, if you look forward, that have that kind of authority at the top of the game at the biggest clubs. Obviously it’s the most important appointment that any club makes and it’s still the most important employee that any club has. I don’t diminish the role, I just think that it would be unrealistic to think that anybody comes in with the breadth and scope that Arsène has had at Arsenal Football Club. I don’t think it’s true to say that the structure was created around Arsène to give us robustness looking forward, it’s really something that Arsène played a full part in. He was making sure that the club was prepared and ready for the future. It comes back to what he said, which is that when the day comes to leave the club, he wants to leave it in a stronger position than he found it. I think he leaves us in a very strong position to look forward.

on whether it was a mutual decision…

I don’t want to go into the details of private conversations around the decision. Today’s not for that. We’re paying tribute to a great man and we’re looking forward for the football club with confidence.

on his standout memories of working with Arsène…

There are great moments. The trophies, the FA Cups, the victory against Barcelona - these are great memories that everybody’s familiar with. But the types of memory that I have about Arsène are speaking to him in quiet moments and the type of person he is. He’s an extraordinarily self-critical, thoughtful, intelligent person who always gives others the benefit of the doubt. That’s how he is. When you see that behind the scenes, you’re not going to find… there’s a reason why there is so much affection from so many players and people that have worked with Arsène, and seen how he is in and around the football club. There’s a reason for that, because he’s a special person.

on whether it’s been difficult to watch speculation over his future…

I think Arsène has taken everything that’s been thrown at him with real humour and grace. I think, as he now makes the step to the next phase of his life, I think everybody is a little bit more reflective. I think it’s a moment like this that you can really better appreciate what an extraordinary person Arsenal Football Club is losing and also the breadth of his contribution. I think all of that affection comes through especially, I would say above the football part, is the inspirational figure he is for so many people who have interactions with him. How he’s developed them as people off the field, how he speaks to them about wider issues than just football - it’s all of those things.

on whether he tried to talk him out of it…

Again I go back to… I want to be sensitive about disclosing publicly what really should remain private conversations. Arsene can talk on Sunday about the decision. From my perspective now it’s a time to honour him and look forward.