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Arsene Wenger breaks silence in first interview since Arsenal exit announcement

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Arsene Wenger would not comment on the timing of his decision to step down as Arsenal manager, and is instead focusing on the match against West Ham

Arsene Wenger has admitted it has been a difficult few days, but has refused to explain why he decided to announce his Arsenal departure this week.

In his first interview since Friday's shock announcement that the Frenchman will leave his role as manager after 22 years, he vowed to focus on winning his remaining matches and leaving the club in a good position for his successor.

But when asked about the timing of his exit, he said he will reveal the reasons at the end of the season.

"I will come out on that a bit later," he told Sky Sports.

"At the moment, for me, it's important to focus on what matters to people of Arsenal. That means the results of the next games.

"But not after the game. After the season, maybe."

Wenger was speaking ahead of the Super Sunday clash with West Ham and admitted it has been an unusual build-up to the game.

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"First of all I am focused on the game," he said.

"At the end of the day my job is to win the next game and I have to make a separation between the feelings and the emotions that can come with such a decision.

"What is important is your job and I want to do my job well until the end."

When asked if it had been a strange week, he said: "Yes, but I have been in this job for a long, long time and I have gone through very difficult times, so you learn to deal with very difficult situations."

Image: Arsene Wenger arrives at the Emirates for the game against West Ham

After the West Ham match, Wenger's side will take on Manchester United, Burnley, Leicester and Huddersfield in the Premier League and also face a two-legged Europa League semi-final with Atletico Madrid.

And he insisted he wants the next Arsenal manager to inherit a team in a strong position.

Wenger added: "I believe that what is interesting for people is to know who is in charge of the club and the future of the club.

"I feel I have dedicated my whole life to make this club a solid club with strong foundations and in a very healthy situation.

"I always said I wanted to leave the club one day with the opportunity for the guy who comes in to find a very solid and ambitious club.

"That's what I will do until the last day of my career here."

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