Wenger is entering his 20th season at Arsenal but, despite approaching his 66th birthday, the Gunners boss admits the idea of stepping away from the game fills him with dread.
Admitting he has pondered retirement, Wenger said: “Yes, it crosses my mind sometimes, but for no longer than five seconds because I panic a little bit.
“When we played at Man United he [Ferguson] came to meet me after the game. I said, ‘Come on, you don’t miss it?’ He said, ‘No’.
“He had enough. He goes to every game. But he has horses. I have no horses.”
Instead of handing off the reins to a new man, Wenger claimed he is just as enthusiastic about leading Arsenal to glory as he ever was.
He added: “Enthusiasm? That is not a problem, honestly. I am more committed than ever for that.
“I just think the number of times you have done it doesn’t count. It is how much you love what you do that counts.
“And the love of what you do is not necessarily diminished by the number of times you’ve done it.
“Football is new every day. That’s a big quality. It makes you question. Because with every defeat people say, ‘What is this guy doing?’
“Every three days you are questioned. You have an exam every three days. You have no way to look back.
“You have to prepare the next exam and come out of it with success. So it always demands 100 per cent commitment.”
But when Wenger finally decides to call it a day he is determined to leave the foundations for success in place for his replacement.
“I want to do well for the club and, as well, when I leave one day, leave the club in a position where the club can go on and on,” said Wenger.
“That is why I always fought for Financial Fair Play.
“That is vital so the guy who comes in has top quality players, a strong financial situation and can work with his ideas. That, for me, is very, very important.”
