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Arsene Wenger has said he'd rather leave his job than renounce his philosophy
Gunners boss also claimed he's added 'substance' to the club he joined in 1996
He will equal Sir Alex Ferguson's Premier League record of 810 games in charge
But many supporters want him to leave saying he has gone past his sell-by date

Published: 09:08 EDT, 28 December 2017 | Updated: 09:10 EDT, 28 December 2017

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Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has said he would rather sacrifice his job and walk away from the Emirates than renounce his football values.

The long-serving Frenchman who has been at the helm of the North London giants since October 1996 is set to equal Manchester United foe Sir Alex Ferguson's record number of 810 Premier League games in charge of a club.

Wenger, who takes his team to South London to play Roy Hodgson's Crystal Palace on Thursday evening, is still 221 matches behind his rival who also managed the Red Devils in the old Division One from 1986 to 1992, when the Premier League was formed.

Arsene Wenger has said he would rather walk away from Arsenal than sacrifice his principles

Arsenal train before playing Crystal Palace in Wenger's 810th Premier League match in charge

However, Wenger, whose teams have earned the reputation of entertainers over the years, has insisted he would definitely walk off into the sunset if he was forced to renounce his philosophy of attacking football - adding he has added substance to the club that was founded in 1886.

Speaking to beIN SPORTS he said: 'It is a formidable commitment and a sacrifice of my life for this club and the game I love. It means as well that I have managed in my life to give substance to the club.

'When I speak of substance I mean the way to play football and the way to behave and the values you want to respect. I would lose my job for the values I believe in are right. I believe that I am in accordance with my club for that and I am absolutely proud of that.'

Wenger once had fierce and bitter rivalry with Manchester United bitter foe Sir Alex Ferguson

But their relationship thawed as Wenger's sides ceased to challenge for the Premier League

Patrick Vieira was one of Wenger's Invincibles but fans say the team isn't at that level anymore

Arsenal have failed to win the league title since Wenger's 'Invincibles' of 2004 and did not qualify for the Champions League this term after finishing a disappointing fifth at the end of the 2016-17 season.

Wenger was handed a two-year extension to his long-running contract in May after winning the FA Cup after beating Champions Chelsea at Wembley.

But a large majority of Gunners fans would have preferred the Frenchman to leave after the triumph.

Wenger, pictured during the 96-97 season, insisted he has added 'substance' to Arsenal

Many Arsenal fans want Wenger to leave, but he is adamant he - and his values - will remain

Many supporters want a new manager to take over the reigns to inject a new lease of life into the club after they claim the Frenchman - who revolutionised English football more than two decades ago - is now past his sell-by date.

However the 68-year-old insisted he is only looking forward rather than preparing for retirement or a new challenge, adding: 'In our job you are addicted to the future, you don’t look back. Maybe I will do one day, but now you always expect more from the next game.'

He also added winning the FA Cup in May was one of his career highlights rating the victory as highly as lifting his first Premier League in the 1997-98 season.