French manager Arsene Wenger, gave a farewell to both Tomas Rosicky and Mikel Arteta, both veteran players who announced that they will step down from the Gunners this season. After the victory against Aston Villa, both of them received the standing ovation from the public at the Emirate Stadium. Rosicky was injured and wasn't able to play, but Arteta did and he even cried quite a bit during his last match with the Gunners.
Wenger wanted to pay homage to both of them after the match: "They are extremely respected in the dressing room and it shows that in football there are still positive emotions. Tomas Rosicky was first an exceptional football player and highly respected in our dressing room. It was a very sad day for me not being able to pick him to be in the squad because there was something at stake. We lose him.
"We lose Arteta – two exceptional football players but also two leaders in the dressing room. I am convinced that in the bad periods they were a positive influence on the squad and we will miss them next season. So I would like to thank them for what they have done and wish them the best of luck."
Photo credit: Arsenal FC