Arsene Wenger says his future was a factor as Arsenal fail to make Champions League
Last updated on .From the section Football
Arsene Wenger says his "professionalism or commitment" cannot be questioned but that uncertainty over his future contributed to Arsenal failing to qualify for the Champions League.
It is the first time Arsenal, who finished fifth, have failed to qualify for the competition for 20 years.
Wenger, whose contract expires this summer, says his future will be decided after the FA Cup final on 27 May.
"I have said no to every club in the world," said the Frenchman, 67.
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Wenger has been in charge of the Gunners since 1996, winning three Premier Leagues and six FA Cups, but has faced protests from Arsenal supporters this season calling for him to quit.
"I believe since January we have played in a very difficult environment for different reasons," he added.
"Some you know about and that's very difficult for a group of players to cope with that - and some other reasons we will talk about on another day.
"Psychologically the atmosphere was absolutely horrendous. It has been difficult, yes, and certainly my personal situation has contributed to that but you can never question my professionalism or commitment."
Arsenal beat Everton 3-1 on Sunday, but a 3-0 home win for Liverpool against Middlesbrough saw the Gunners finish a point behind Jurgen Klopp's side in fifth.
"I'm a lot more resigned because it's been coming for a few years and everybody has to focus on the FA Cup," former Arsenal striker Ian Wright told BBC Radio 5 live.
"This is done, we are in the Europa League, there is nothing we can do about it."
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Wenger, whose side face Premier League champions Chelsea in the FA Cup final, said it was "very sad" Arsenal will not be playing in Europe's top club competition next season.
He added: "We do our job and you are professional and part of the job is being professional when the environment is not positive."
Some Arsenal fans also voiced their frustration at majority owner Stan Kroenke.
"I think you respect everyone in life and I respect Stan Kroenke a lot," said Wenger. "It is not his fault we didn't reach the Champions League, it is the technical department's responsibility for that.
"A club works when everybody does their job and we live in a society where everybody has an opinion and what moves society forward is when we work and not talk too much."
Wenger gets support from old rival Ferguson
Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson had a sometimes bitter rivalry with Wenger during his Old Trafford reign, winning 13 Premier League titles with the Red Devils.
Scot Ferguson was in charge for 26 years, while Frenchman Wenger is in his 21st year at the north London club.
"At the moment, of course, with the ridiculous situation of the pressure Arsene is under, I just wonder if they realise the job he's done," Ferguson told Sky Sports.
"The most amazing thing about him is this: he has come through a forest of criticism for months now, and has never bowed. He has seen it right through, he has shown a determination, a stubbornness. I think when you look at that, it's a quality, and I'm not sure they'll ever get another manager like that.
"It's quite easy to say 'Get rid of him', but who do you get? Who do you get in to keep that club the way they are for the next 20 years?
"I really feel sorry for him because I think he's shown outstanding qualities, and I think he has handled the whole situation. I don't know many that have done that."
'The toxic mood was on show again' - analysis
BBC Sport chief football writer Phil McNulty at Emirates Stadium
As Arsene Wenger sifted through the fall-out from Arsenal's failure to reach the Champions League for the first time in 20 years, he made a stark admission.
Wenger, reflecting on the atmosphere around Emirates Stadium, said: "The psychological environment was absolutely horrendous."
He insisted he was not using this as an excuse for Arsenal's failings but it was clear he felt the over-arching atmosphere had not helped his players as they tried to fight their way into the Premier League's top four.
Wenger may have a point - but has he himself not made a major contribution to the mood around the club and has to take his share of responsibility as his own Arsenal future became almost a matter for daily debate?
Even now, although most now assume he will extend his stay as Arsenal manager, he was simply saying his own personal situation would be "sorted soon".
The lack of clarity has cast a cloud over Arsenal's season and provided an unwanted sub-plot when matters should have been solely focused on the pitch.
The toxic mood was on show again as Arsenal's fate and the realisation that they would be in the Europa League next season became clearer, with chants against American owner Stan Kroenke, who has ignored a £1.3bn takeover bid from Alisher Usmanov, who has a 30% stake in the club.
Wenger defended Kroenke but it was obvious he feels factors elsewhere have created this "horrendous" psychological environment that has swirled unhelpfully around Arsenal.
The problem for Wenger is that he takes a big portion of the responsibility - and part of the price he and Arsenal will pay is that they will be out of Europe's elite group next season with their noses pushed against the window as they contemplate life without the Champions League.
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What do the people think?
Arsenal have finished higher than Man Utd for 5 years.
Arsenal 'fans' don't deserve Wenger, just as they don't deserve to win the Premiere League.
Bunch of whining spoiled brats.
Do they want instant success and a title? Arsenal finished 2nd last year and got more points this year, that strikes me as progression.
Sometimes it's better to be grateful for what you have.
It goes to show the ignorance of Arsenal fans bringing down the Europa League yet crying about not finishing 4th.
Europa league is a major trophy and so is the super cup which you will enter if you win the Europa league along with the champions league.
A team that's never won the CL cannot judge other competitions..
innit blud,
innit bruv
They'll keep going though, and booing their team in the hope that it does...what? make them play better and win? All it does is make the team play worse. They call out Chelsea and Man City over their owners spending, but hypocritically want the same for Arsenal.
He has to go as the toxic fans won't, I hope they get what they deserve
He's as fickle as the gooners fans!
Offensively Arsenal are up their with any team in the league defensively they are poor.
The single most important decision this season AW has made was not to sign Kante when he had the chance. Are you telling me Arsenal with Kante wouldnt have got champions league?
managers are judged on the transfer market activity and tactics this season AW has got it wrong.
He's not blaming the contract uncertainty, he's saying that it contributed. Most people on here, and all of the press and media, are getting their knickers in a twist over a logical fact.
A non story, when you think about it.
grass isnt always greener and as with united i expect arsenal to drop even further behind if they do get rid of wenger. personally cant wait to see the arsenal fans reactions then.
It's getting really boring listening to negative minded individuals who just want to stick the knife in. It's about sticking by the team through thick and thin.
Supply and demand. If Arsenal had an empty stadium week in week out, they would lower their prices.
Thing is, Arsenal have a waiting list for season tickets, hence why the price is so high.
As long as you are paying, they will continue charging.
You have control!
2 teams who you would expect to make it are going to miss out on the top 4 every year.
Arsenal fans look at the positives this might just be the shock treatment your club needs.