Arsene Wenger has vowed to leave Arsenal in a ‘very good position‘ when he retires.

One of the main criticisms levelled at Sir Alex Ferguson when he left Manchester United was that he left the squad in need of a major overhaul and as the most contemporary example of a long-term manager leaving a club, stands as a good comparison to Wenger when it comes time for him to step down at Arsenal.

In charge at the club since 1996, Wenger has rebuilt the club and positioned it so that it will be able to compete with the top clubs across Europe due to its redevelopment and stadium move.

Speaking in his interview with Marin Keown, the Arsenal manager said

“I want to leave the club in a strong and healthy position and that means with good players, with good youth behind and a strong financial position to go further up and develop more. I will do that, you can believe me.

“The guy that comes in after me will be in a very good position to deliver something exceptional. I believe that the biggest quality at a top, top club is to maintain consistency in the results and I hope that when I’ve left someday and come back to the Emirates to watch a game, I will be very happy to see a quality team.”

Confirming that reaching the Champions League during the first years of the move to the new stadium was the minimum requirement, Wenger added

“In 2004, 2005 and 2006 I had chances to leave, but I went with the club to have the challenge of building the new stadium and not dropping out of the Champions League three years out of five.

“That was the financial request and we did it [qualified] every year.

“I knew it was a very sensitive period for the club, but I feel I’ve done my job in a very committed and faithful way.”

Wenger and Ferguson, so alike in many ways yet completely different, are enjoy something of a more friendly relationship these days.

Often fighting on the touchline and via the press, the relationship cooled as Arsenal fell away as a force during the post-Highbury years.

Wenger said about his old adversary

“I’m happy to see him now, much more than before.

“We have been through some difficult spells in our relationship, but in the end it became more peaceful and respectful.

“Today we are happy to have a good dinner together or a good glass or wine and talk about football. We can rise above the differences we had before.”

Watch the full interview here.