David Moyes hopes West Ham can spoil the start of Arsene Wenger’s farewell party, but expects the Frenchman’s players to “be up for it” when the Hammers visit the Emirates Stadium.
Wenger announced on Friday morning that he will leave Arsenal at the end of the season after almost 22 years in charge.
The 68-year-old has come in for criticism from fans in the last year and there have been swathes of empty seats at the Emirates in recent weeks.
But Moyes expects the atmosphere to have changed significantly when he takes West Ham to north London on Sunday.
“A lot of people are now talking very positively about Arsene Wenger, when there were people who didn’t before,” said Hammers boss Moyes.
“People in the know understand what he has done and the level of football he has produced. Given all that positivity I am sure their players will be up for it.
“I am not so sure all Arsenal fans were 100 percent behind the manager, but I’m sure they appreciate that he has given the best of his ability over 22 years.
“It changes everything. It may have changed the tone of a game in that you go there and try to keep everybody quiet. But now everybody will probably go there to show their appreciation of what he has done.”
Moyes expects Wenger to stay in the game, possibility as an international coach, although he did not rule out the prospect of him taking another Premier League job.
“I think Arsene Wenger could have the pick of a host of international jobs,” added Moyes. “When the World Cup is over he will be the No. 1 target for a number of countries wanting him to be their coach. There will be lots of countries interested in him.
“He may stay in the Premier League because he’s a proper football man. He is someone who looks to develop things because we’re not getting managers with 22 years in one job anymore.
“It wouldn’t surprise me if he continued working somewhere.”
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