Arsenal news: Arsene Wenger admits his 'biggest mistake' at club was staying too long

Wenger described himself as a 'prisoner of my own challenges'

Arsene Wenger has admitted he is a ‘prisoner’ of his own challenges and that his biggest mistake at Arsenal was staying for too long.

The Frenchman left the Gunners at the end of last season following 22 years at the helm, where he won three Premier League titles and seven FA Cups, as well as going the season undefeated to win the title in 2003/04.

After his departure from the Emirates, where he was replaced by former Paris Saint-Germain coach Unai Emery, Wenger insisted he would not retire and wanted to continue in management, albeit almost certainly in another league.

However, with the new season less than three weeks away, the 68-year-old has not joined anywhere else, something that he believes could be a result of having stayed at Arsenal far longer than he should have. He also said his decision to remain for so long put pressure on his personal and private relationships, not just his professional ones.

Speaking to broadcaster RTL, Wenger said: “Perhaps staying at the same club for 22 years. I’m someone who likes to move around a lot, but I also like a challenge. I’ve been a prisoner of my own challenge at times.

“I regret having sacrificed everything I did because I realise I’ve hurt a lot of people around me. I’ve neglected a lot of people. I’ve neglected my family, I’ve neglected many close ones.

“Deep down though, the obsessed man is selfish in his pursuit of what he loves. He ignores a lot of other things. But it’s a bone to chase at the same time.”