Arsenal news: Arsene Wenger leaves Dermot O'Leary in ‘tears’ TWICE ‘I won't lie to you’
ARSENAL’S departing manager Arsene Wenger has sparked a double breakdown for famous supporter Dermot O'Leary, The X Factor host has admitted.
The presenter opened up about crying more than once during Arsene Wenger's last home match as Arsenal’s manager, following the news that he was stepping down last month.
The 44-year-old said he knew it was going to happen when he was in the crowd at the Emirates Stadium to watch the team defeat Burnley 5-0.
Dermot has followed the club since watching them beat Ipswich Town back in the 1978 FA Cup final.
"I won't lie to you, I cried last Sunday - twice,” the BBC Radio 2 regular started.
The star continued: “I knew I was going to. The first came as our manager of 22 years was applauded onto the pitch pre-match through a guard of honour in the bright May afternoon sunshine.
By the second time though, the tears were proud, wistful and 60,000 strong
"My sunglasses luckily masked this, and I might have muttered something about hayfever.”
In an article for the BBC Sport website, Dermot, whose family are from Ireland, said that he chose to support Arsenal as they had a large Irish following in London.
He also said that his grandfather would not allow him to watch football as he considered it an "English sport".
Dermot went on: “By the second time though, the tears were proud, wistful and 60,000 strong.
"It was like we'd all watched the end of The Shawshank Redemption en masse."
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“There’s just something in my eye… honest,” Dermot had previously written to his 450,000 Instagram followers about the moment in question.
After the match in question, Arsene, who has managed Arsenal since 1996, told fans he would miss them in a farewell speech.
“I will miss you. I hope to see you soon, well done, bye bye,” he told the crowd who had chanted his name.
He has won three Premier League titles and seven FA Cups during his reign.
However the Frenchman has been criticised by a section of Arsenal's fan base in recent years.
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The team has not won the Premier League since the 2003/04 season and has not qualified for the Champions League for two years running.
Whilst clearly a huge supporter of Arsene, Dermot claimed it was time for a change.
He added: ”I have no problem with people who said we needed a change, because we did.
"There's no hypocrisy in praising the man while also wanting a new direction, and as sad as I am to see a proud, stalwart of the game go, I am also excited to see what comes next."
Arsenal will play Huddersfield Town on Sunday in their final Premier League fixture of the season.