Arsene Wenger has finally spoken out about the abuse he’s received this season.

• Arsenal finished fifth in the league this season
• Manager’s contract comes runs out at the end of the season – two year extension expected
• Wenger says abuse he’s received this season is ‘disgusting’ and a ‘disgrace’

As an Arsenal fan, it’s been a testing season, so I can’t imagine what it’s been like for Wenger, who’s faced a barrage of abuse, including death threats.

It’s not something anyone should have to face.

The manager claims that a certain level of criticism are fine since that comes with the job. However, he branded some of the abuse he’s received this season as ‘disgusting’ and admitted that he’ll never forget it.

“I don’t mind criticism because we are in a public job,” he said.

“I believe there’s a difference between being criticised and being treated in a way that human beings don’t deserve.

“The lack of respect from some has been a disgrace and I will never accept that. I will never forget it.

“The behaviour of some people during the season, that is what hurts me most. It’s not my person that is hurt but the impeccable image of the club around the world. That kind of behaviour does not reflect what Arsenal is.

“A strong club is a club that makes a decision. It is wrong that in modern society it is not a question of whether a decision is right but whether it is popular. That has nothing to do with competence. People with responsibility have to make the right decision.”

While Wenger has and does receive abuse, a lot of it completely unfair and unwarranted, the timing of this interview with the BBC’s Football Focus just ahead of the FA Cup final was curious.

He’s talking about the season as a whole as and, at the time of the interview, Arsenal’s season wasn’t over. They still had an incredibly important match to play out.

Why not wait until afterwards?