Wenger on 'frightening' retirement from Arsenal 'mission'

The Frenchman prepares to lead Arsenal in his 400th game on the road in the Premier League on his 68th birthday, after signing a new two-year deal back in May to extend his 21-year reign in north London.

Ahead of the Everton clash, Wenger spoke about his managerial career, past and present, and what keeps him going: "I started this job at the age of 33 so I've done 35 years without having a stop at all," Wenger told 'Sky Sports. "There's no break; it's 35 years of total focus and dedication to football life."

"Why keep doing it? Because I love it. Because it's a job where I think you can have a very positive influence: on people's lives, on results, on the dimensions of a football club, on values, because I think first of all a club is about values, which we forget a lot today."

Wenger began his career in the dugout at Nancy in 1984, and spells at Monaco and Japan eventually led him to take charge of the Gunners in September 1996. "I feel on a mission to carry these values through for this club because I think this club is usually respected all over the world for its values and it carries through the generations.", he said.

When asked if he finds the idea of putting an end to his involvement at the Emirates daunting, he referred to his career as a "dedication of his life", and simply answered: "Yes. Because every end is to be in front of the unknown and of course it can be a bit frightening."

"But even if it is frightening, I'm not too scared. I just want to do what I do as long as I think I can do it well and I have the motivation to do it. On that front, I have no doubt.", he told the aforementioned source. "After, the day will come quickly, maybe not, but I am completely focused and completely committed."

"I'm a guy that's absolutely passionate and I think my family would agree that I'm stubborn as well. There's always a fine line between being stubborn and stupid but if you give up too quickly in life you do nothing well.", he added, speaking about his grittiness which remains undiminished. "Persistence is an underrated quality. If you look at people who are successful, most of them have a consistent determination to do what they want and are ready to commit completely."

He concluded by stating that Arsenal's fate this season is far from decided: "Football's about the moment. What looks unstoppable in October might not be the case in December. But that can only happen if other teams continue to believe in their quality."