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'YOU DON'T FIND BETTER'

Arsenal chief Ivan Gazidis admits he searched for new boss but couldn’t find better than Arsene Wenger

Gunners chief executive reveals he examined other managerial candidates before handing veteran French manager a new two-year deal with the Premier League giants

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ARSENAL chief Ivan Gazidis has admitted he searched for a new man to replace Arsene Wenger as Arsenal manager – but insisted “you don’t find better candidates” than the Frenchman.

The veteran boss has been in charge of the Gunners for 21 years but came under severe scrutiny before penning a two-year contract extension in May despite finishing outside the top four for the first time in his reign.

Arsenal looked for possible replacements for Arsene Wenger at the end of last season
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Arsenal looked for possible replacements for Arsene Wenger at the end of last seasonCredit: Rex Features
Gunners chief executive Ivan Gazidis says he was unable to find a better candidate than Wenger
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Gunners chief executive Ivan Gazidis says he was unable to find a better candidate than WengerCredit: Getty

He and his Arsenal side kicked off the new Premier League campaign with a thrilling 4-3 opening day victory over Leicester on Friday.

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And prior to that, Emirates chief executive Gazidis revealed that he had been considering possible alternatives to the 67-year-old.

He told Sky Sports: “We're in a society now where we are encouraged to throw away the old and buy the new thing which will make you happy and solve your issues.

“For us we thought about the issue of who we wanted to take us forward.

“When we thought about the key qualities, they were the experience, the gravitas for a club like this, a record of success in the game.

“Also we wanted someone who could represent our values as a club, what we stand for in the world of football and with our fans.

Arsene Wenger came under severe criticism from supporters last season
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Arsene Wenger came under severe criticism from supporters last seasonCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Arsene Wenger signed a new two-year extension with the Gunners this summer
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Arsene Wenger signed a new two-year extension with the Gunners this summerCredit: Rex Features

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“We wanted someone who would play attacking, attractive football, that is a core part of this football club, and finally someone who would give young players a chance.

“We see players like Hector Bellerin, Alex Iwobi coming through, Reiss Nelson and Joe Willock have had a fantastic pre-season.

“If you look across the world of football this is a plum position, people want to be manager of Arsenal.

Arsenal supporters were showing their backing for the manager last night
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Arsenal supporters were showing their backing for the manager last nightCredit: Reuters
Arsene Wengers big money signing Alexandre Lacazette netted on his debut against Leicester
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Arsene Wengers big money signing Alexandre Lacazette netted on his debut against LeicesterCredit: Rex Features
Olivier Giroud got the Gunners off to a winning start with a late strike against the Foxes
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Olivier Giroud got the Gunners off to a winning start with a late strike against the FoxesCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

“If you look across the world of football, you don't find better candidates than Arsene Wenger. We kept coming back to Arsene.”

Gazidis added: “It wasn't a sentimental decision, it wasn't based on 20 years of history with the club although there is tremendous loyalty which comes with that, but it wasn't a decision made out of loyalty, but out of the qualities the club has and what we feel we need over the next two years to take this club forward.”

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