Arsene Wenger was sacked by Arsenal as he would never walk away, claims Ian Wright

Ian Wright has claimed Arsene Wenger was sacked by Arsenal as it is not in the manager's character to walk away.

Wenger confirmed on Friday that he would bring his 22-year reign at the club to an end once the season is over, prompting a string of glowing tributes from across the football world.

Speculation over Wenger's future has long been a fixture at the club, with sections of the fanbase vocal of their displeasure at his recent record as the Gunners facing a second season of finishing outside of the top four.

Wenger has come in for criticism from fans in the last year and Wright, who won the title during the Frenchman's early years at Arsenal, believes the club took the decision to end his long stay.

"Arsene Wenger is a man of principle, honesty and integrity - that is why I am convinced he has been sacked and not resigned," Wright wrote in The Sun.

"For all the vitriol and abuse thrown at him, Arsene has never been a man to walk out before the end of a contract.

"It is a sad situation that it's come to this and I don't suppose we will ever find out who is responsible, because they will hide behind each other.

"One day he is doing a press conference with no hint of this, the next he's gone. It doesn't add up.

"But Arsene can go with his head high. That's why, whatever the results, it is imperative he gets the send-off a true Arsenal and football legend deserves. We all owe him so much."

Former team-mate Martin Keown - a three-time title winner under Wenger - expects his old manager to be grieving.

"My overwhelming emotion is one of sadness," Keown told the Daily Mail. "Beyond his family, Arsenal and football are Arsene Wenger's two greatest loves. To give up one of them will feel like a bereavement.

"That is what it felt like to me when my time with the club ended. I spent 18 years of my career there and, even now, I still have not really got over leaving. To leave Arsenal Football Club hurts to the very core.

"For many of Wenger's former players - myself included - it will feel like a part of them is gone from the club forever following his departure."

Additional reporting by Press Association.