Remember when Wenger first came to England and people asked, “Arséne, who?” Today they say, “MERCI ARSÈNE!”
I remember him saying this: “The main reason for coming is that I love English football, the roots of the game are here. I like the spirit around the game, and at Arsenal, I like the spirit of the club and its potentials.”
Wenger in 1996 (photo, Aresenal.com)
A succinct expression, it encompassed the ideology of a man who would go on to prove his mettle in English football.
Those were the words of Arsène Wenger during his first press conference on October 1, 1996–a few days after he was unveiled as the new Arsenal manager at Highbury.
His arrival at the North London was greeted with mixed feelings. Some believed he should be given a shot at the job. Others were complaintive of his inexperience as a manager of an English club.
“At first, I thought: What does this Frenchman know about football? He wears glasses and looks more like a schoolteacher. Does he even speak English properly?” Those were the words of then Arsenal captain, Tony Adams.
Truly, the managerial slate of Le Professeur–as he was often called by fans–was still blank. But he had acquired enough knowledge that would bring success.
Prior to his arrival at Arsenal, Wenger had stints as a manager of clubs in France and Japan.
In 1984, he became the manager of Nancy, a French club he helped attain a respectable 12th position in his first season. He left in 1987 by mutual consent to become manager of Monaco. There he managed the current Liberian president, George Weah.
At the French side, he won the Ligue 1 title in his debut season and the Coupe de France in 1990/1991 season. But in September 1994 he was dismissed after a poor start to the season.
Wenger in Japan (courtesy, Daily Mail)
Three months later, he signed a two-year contract with Nagoya Grampus, a club based in Japan, where (in only one year) Wenger earned the title of Japanese League Manager of the Year. Shortly thereafter, Wenger’s team won the Emperor’s Cup and, then, the Super Cup.
These super achievements brought Wenger attention. Arsenal’s vice-chairman, David Dein, recommended him to the Arsenal board as Bruce Rioch’s successor. But, to get the job, Wenger had to beat out former Barcelona player and manager, Johan Cruyff, who was the favourite.
The board’s trust didn’t stop fans from asking “Arsène, who?”
But today–after decades of service and accomplishments–Wenger is endeared to many.
The sign of things to come started with a 2-0 away victory over Blackburn Rovers on October 12, 1996. Later, a run of nine consecutive league wins secured Arsenal’s status as the league champions.
Days later, Wenger became the first foreign manager to win the stupendous double–leading his team to an F.A. Cup triumph over Newcastle United in the 1998 F.A. Cup final.
The following seasons were not favourable, though, as Le Professeur failed to win a single silverware for three years. But his skills as a top manager was validated (again) during the 2001/2002 season when he won the double for the second time. His victory at Old Trafford culminated an outstanding season for North London side.
A year later, Wenger had another season to remember. His side beat Chelsea 2-0 to win the F.A.Cup. That was the year Arsenal scored in every league game and was unbeaten in all away-games played.
Wenger’s said at the start of the 2002-03 season
It was little wonder that Wenger was confident! Consider what he boasted during a press conference (see side panel).
Yes, Arsenal retained the F.A. Cup that year, but his words did backfire. Arsenal failed to win the title that year and didn’t go unbeaten either.
But, to his credit, Wenger saw “something” on that team–something that was proven the following year.
He was invincible and his team, coined “The Invincibles,” won the title without losing a contest. To boot, his side went on an extended run–49 consecutive league games without a defeat.
Success continued, too. The next season he won the F.A. Cup, beating old rival Sir Alex Ferguson.
But a transition started in the 2005/06 season. The club finished fourth in the league–outside the top two for the first time in Wenger’s tenure at Arsenal. That season also marked the club’s final season at Highbury, a home that ‘gooners’ and ‘goonerettes’ loved.
Wenger still gave them something to cheer about, though. His side got to the final of the UEFA Champions League for the first time ever–and without conceding a goal in the knockout stages, too. But, sadly, the English side lost 2-1 to Spanish side, FC Barcelona. That defeat was the beginning of a torrid time for the French gentleman.
In the summer of 2006, The Gunners’ relocation to Emirates Stadium and the club made financial stability a priority. Then, a year later, David Dein–the man who brought Wenger to Arsenal–left the club. Things began falling apart. Experienced players left and Wenger replaced them with younger legs. Although Wenger developed many of them into superstars, the club couldn’t hold them when other teams came calling.
The team still won, getting to the final of the Carling Cup in 2011. But Wenger’s side lost shockingly 2-1 to Birmingham City.
It was a pattern. No matter how close Wenger was to success, there was always a missing piece, if not more.
Better days came with the arrival of the then-record signing, Mesut Ozil, and the improved Aaron Ramsey’s goalscoring spree. Those additions ended the trophy drought. It came when Arsenal fought back from two goals down to beat Hull City in the FA Cup final.
A year later, Wenger retained the trophy and made history doing it.
On May 27, 2017, Wenger became the most successful manager in the history of the FA Cup after beating the old rival, Chelsea, in the final.
Despite breaking Arsenal’s transfer record twice in the 2017/2018 season, the club failed to muster any challenge for a major honour. The team finished outside the top four for the second year in a row.
A fourth-round FA Cup exit–and another abysmal performance in the league–signaled the beginning of the end of an era for this decorated man–a three-time Premier League Manager of the Season, the 1998 World Manager of the Year, and the 15-time Premier League Manager of the Month.
But Wenger never quit — even when his team was consistently inconsistent in his final years at Arsenal. But make no mistake about this: Wenger’s decision to stay at the club, especially during the second decade of service, wasn’t supported by many fans.
While many joined the ”Wenger Out Brigade,” others kept chanting “Arsene Knows Best” and “One Arsene Wenger.” There were many “Wenger Out” protests over the years by fans who believed his time was up. But Wenger remained invincible to the scathing criticisms when he chose, time and time again, to renew his contract.
Many believed he should have walked away last season after he made history in the FA Cup competition. Instead, he signed a new two-year contract.
Things didn’t work out.
With the level of apathy increasing amongst fans and some club officials, it was time for the invincible manager to bid farewell to a club he has been synonymous with. It was time for an era to end!
On April 20, 2018, Arsène Wenger announced that he would step down as manager at the end of the 2017/2018 season. Although the announcement was a delight to fans who wanted him out, his contributions towards re-sharpening the game of football in England cannot be overstated.
Wenger will be forever known for his famously entertaining ”Wenger Ball,” his cool and calm idiosyncrasy during media briefings, his fatherly role to younger players who developed under his tutelage, his ‘fist celebration’ after goals, his suspicious smiles when responding to transfers rumours, and those hilarious ‘battles’ with the zip of his long coat.
Courtesy: Goal.com
As The Gunners search for a new man, let’s not forget what Wenger accomplished. His record as the longest-serving manager in England with 828 premier league games will for decades, if not forever, remain intact. And while his tactical nous as a manager might have declined with time, his immaculate personality cannot be questioned.
Comically, some people once believed that Arsène owned Arsenal. Arsenal F.C….Arsène F.C! That only sums up how compatible the manager and club have been.
He is indeed a manager who deserves all the accolades he’s been receiving. He is an eminent manager that Arsenal will forever remember. He is a manager with quintessential personality. He is a father to many. He is the golden, invincible manager.
Remember when he first came to England and people asked “Arséne, who?” Now, Arsène is known…and will be remembered. Indeed, Arsenal fans can now say …
“MERCI ARSÈNE”!
