Arsène Wenger says the idea of retirement can be a bit frightening, after spending 33 years in management.

Wenger was speaking to Sky Sports ahead of Arsenal’s match against Everton on Sunday, which coincided with the manager’s 68th birthday. The boss was asked whether retirement was an intimidating prospect, to which he responded: “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.

“After, the day will come quickly, maybe not, but I am completely focused and completely committed.”

The day of Wenger’s retirement doesn’t appear to be coming very quickly right now. The Frenchman signed a new two-year deal with the Gunners over the summer, meaning he’s set to complete his 22nd and 23rd seasons with the team before he eventually departs for something new.

Even then, it’s hard to say if that will be the end. Many thought that the manager would leave at the end of last season. There were widely covered protests from some fans against a renewal, and the Gunners failed to qualify for the Champions League. Then, Arsenal won a trophy for the boss to go out on a high, and 67 seemed like a good age to do so.

But Kroenke and the Arsenal board nonetheless agreed with Arsène to renew his contract. So, bar a trophy-less campaign and dropping out of the top six, it’s hard to see what exactly could stop the same thing happening again in 2019.