Shock waves were sent reverberating through the footballing landscape on Friday morning when Arsene Wenger confirmed that, after 22 years, he will be stepping down as Arsenal manager at the end of the season.
The reaction was immense, as people flocked to social media to express their thoughts and feelings on the sole remaining bastion of the Premier League's golden era vacating his post.
The Gunners themselves kicked things off by thanking their outbound boss while also reminding him of just how old he's become over the years with a time-lapse GIF.
#MerciArsène pic.twitter.com/7wqOwveCfz
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) April 20, 2018
#MerciArsène pic.twitter.com/h3XAQvr2pw
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) April 20, 2018
Several of the Frenchman's former players lined up to express their gratitude.
Sad day for @Arsenal with Arsene leaving, can we now give him the send off/respect he deserves?!! #rememberthetrophies
— David Seaman (@thedavidseaman) April 20, 2018
Wow! pic.twitter.com/4yED6f4N8m
— Sol Campbell (@SolManOfficial) April 20, 2018
There was also plenty of additional glowing testimony from prominent football figures, even from former adversaries...
Arsene Wenger is to leave @Arsenal at the end of the season. He has given much of his life to Arsenal. He has brought much success to the club. He has given much to the game of football in our country. Merci et bonne chance, Monsieur Wenger. #Wenger
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) April 20, 2018
Arsene Wenger built the best teams that I played against in English Football .The 98 team was Amazing.The biggest compliment is that he played football that made us change the way we played against them. He now deserves the most incredible send off from all in the coming weeks.
— Gary Neville (@GNev2) April 20, 2018
Wenger's former club Monaco paid their respects with a vintage photo...
Respect Mister Wenger ! pic.twitter.com/RrE3qtkYcz
— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) April 20, 2018
There was even a farewell message from Jeremy Corbyn, leader of the Labour party and lifelong Arsenal fanatic.
Arsène Wenger, thank you for all the achievements, over such a long period, for the club I love.
— Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) April 20, 2018
Three Premier League titles, the unbeaten season, a record breaking seven FA Cups and revolutionising the English game. https://t.co/2jWgUsY9Nf
Just a sample of all the remarkable Wenger statistics that have poured out all over social media...
823 - Arsene Wenger has managed more Premier League games than any other manager (823) and only Sir Alex Ferguson has won more games (528) than Wenger (473). Longevity. pic.twitter.com/ktdsaZPb1y
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 20, 2018
49 - Under Arsene Wenger, Arsenal went a record 49 consecutive top-flight league games unbeaten from May 2003 to October 2004, breaking Nottingham Forest's previous record of 42 set between November 1977 & November 1978 under Brian Clough. Legendary. pic.twitter.com/IATwyJCkcm
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 20, 2018
124 - Arsene Wenger has faced 124 different opponents as manager of Arsenal, but has only failed to beat 5 of those teams:
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 20, 2018
Fiorentina (P2 W0 D1 L1)
PAOK Salonika (P2 W0 D1 L1)
Paris Saint-Germain (P2 W0 D2 L0)
Port Vale (P2 W0 D2 L0)
Rotherham United (P1 W0 D1 L0)
Collection pic.twitter.com/iveoABXyzL
Why, even Arsenal Fan TV put their seemingly endless anti-Wenger diatribes aside to thank the man who has given them three league titles and a record seven FA Cups over the past two decades.
Thank you for the memories, Arsene. pic.twitter.com/UWS1zjvtk5
— ArsenalFanTV (@ArsenalFanTV) April 20, 2018
No doubt about it, the man will be missed by Arsenal fans and neutral supporters alike.