It is 17 years since Arsene Wenger was
brought from Japanese obscurity to the glare of the Premier League and
in that time the Frenchman has made an impression to last.
He
has delivered highs that will one day be recognised in statue as well
as a certain je ne sais quoi of style and thought about the game.
He
has also had to survive calls for his head more often than a Tudor
queen but in north London he stays, currently experiencing a renaissance
of appreciation for his work. So, to celebrate his 17th anniversary in
the Arsenal dugout, here are 17 reasons why we love Wenger.
1. The
Invincibles. His team in 2003-04 was so good Disney decided to make a
film about it. All right that was The Incredibles but going a whole
season unbeaten in the Premier League was Hollywood stuff.
The Invincibles: Wenger saw his team march to the 2003-04 title without losing a game
2. Transforming
Thierry Henry from listless winger to lethal striker. Wenger rescued
him from a Juventus nightmare out wide and coached him to a club record
228 goals through the middle.
Transformation: Wenger helped turn Thierry Henry into one of the best strikers in the world
3. The
lines. You could never accuse Wenger of lacking the courage to front up
to the media no matter how dire his predicament. Often there was
humour. To one question about losing out a series of players in the
summer window he replied: ‘You’ve certainly tried to go out with a girl
and find she has chosen someone else. You don’t commit suicide.’
Fronting up: Wenger never shied away from the media when he sold players
4. Uniting the ironclad midfield of Emmanuel Petit and Patrick Vieira.
Dynamic duo: Arsenal's midfield men Patrick Vieira and Emmanuel Petit were key to their sucess
5. The
knee-length puffer jacket. Train-spotters everywhere rejoiced when
Wenger first wore his trademark winter garb. Suddenly, with Gallic
endorsement, such attire was cool. Sort of. Even when zips prove
troublesome, as the Arsenal manager found to his cost last December.
Keeping warm: Wenger often wears a knee length puffa jacket in the winter to keep warm
6. Eyesight.
For so long Wenger dismissed controversial incidents by claiming a lack
of vision that it became comical. We would become disappointed if he HAD seen Patrick Vieira hack down an opponent off the ball. Now everyone uses the phrase to wave off inquisitions.
Off you go: Wenger often claimed he did not see any of Arsenal's red cards
7.
Refusing to engage in the spiralling prices of the transfer market and
pay over the odds. This is a man who knows the value of everything.
Keeping an eye on the finances: Wenger did smash the transfer record to land Mesut Ozil
8.
The arms out shrug. This was best displayed when he was ordered to the
stands by Mike Dean during injury time of a clash with United at Old
Trafford for kicking a water bottle. He stood on the wall behind the
dugout in front of a chuckling mob of home fans.
Sent to the stands: Wenger stood above the dug out after being sent off against United in 2009
9. Robert Pires. The man with magic in his toes. And who was also responsible for the worst penalty ever taken.
Making a mess: Robert Pires was a brilliant player for Arsenal but not the best penalty taker
10. Duelling
with Sir Alex Ferguson. Sport is made richer by rivalries and theirs
was one formed through competitive spirit. It enhanced the Premier
League.
Rivals: Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson had a number of long running battles
11. The
bargains. Nicolas Anelka, Patrick Vieira, and Freddie Ljungberg cost
less than a quarter pound bag of bon bons and proved much tastier.
Star spotter: Wenger spent next to nothing on players like Nicolas Anelka and Freddie Ljungberg
12. Fielding
the first all-foreign squad in the Premier League but then changing
tack and promoting British youth through Jack Wilshere, Alex
Oxlaide-Chamberlain and Theo Walcott.
Young stars: Wenger has helped Theo Walcott, Jack Wilshere and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain develop
13. The joy brought by his day on a water slide off a boat and into the sea while on holiday.
Going for a dip: Wenger goes down a water slide while on holiday
14. Nurturing Cesc Fabregas into one of the best midfielders in the world - and then seeing him leave for Barcelona
Top talent: Wenger got the best out of Cesc Fabregas
15.
Signing Robin Van Persie for not very much, remaining by him through
injury woes, and turning him into a title-winning machine. Just a shame
it was for United.
Dream team: Robin Van Persie found his form at Arsenal - and then moved to Manchester United
16. The sharp dressing. It was always a suit, always a red tie.
Dressed to impress: Wenger is often seen wearing a suit and red tie on the touchline
17. Forever exorcising ‘1-0 to the Arsenal’. No doubting he brought style
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