With Arsene Wenger celebrating his spectacular 1000 games in charge of Arsenal (after a not so spectacular 6-0 defeat to Chelsea) I have put together a tribute to the man I still consider the best manager in world football.
Despite all of his achievements in the modern game, many supporters still want to see our managerial Mozart pass the baton onto a fresh face. Some feel that he has lost his edge, and can no longer lead a top side to success. Others believe he has lost his hunger for trophies, and is happy to take us to a top four finish season after season.
I disagree with both of these views. For me, Arsene Wenger is the epitome of a world class manager. He has it all; class, composure, tactical awareness, consistency, humility, and above all – an undying love for all things Arsenal. Let’s face it; Arsene could do better than us. Over the years he has turned offers from the very best clubs in world football. Barcelona, Real Madrid, Juventus and PSG are just a few of the teams able to offer him virtually unlimited funds in which to craft squads capable to beating anyone – yet he has chosen to reside with the Gunners for 17 and a half years of his life.
Wenger is not just Arsenal’s manager – he is the human incarnation of everything our beloved club stands for.
Arsenal have always aimed to do things “the right way”; and Wenger understands that. We have one of the best reputations in football for playing attacking football, spending within our limits, giving unknowns and youngsters a chance and conducting ourselves with honour both on and off the pitch – all of which have been kept in place thanks to Wenger.
It may be a rather clichéd phrase, but its true: Arsene is not bigger than Arsenal, but Arsenal are bigger because of him.
So, whether you’re one of the “Wenger Out” revolutionists, or an “In Wenger We Trust” enthusiast; sit back and prepare to take in 1000 reasons as to why Arsene Wenger is still the man to take Arsenal forward:
49 – Arsenal’s famous unbeaten run thanks to the genius that is Arsene Wenger; a record which may very well never be beaten.
11 – The number of trophies Wenger has lifted at Arsenal, making him the most successful manager in the clubs history.
16 – The number of consecutive seasons Arsenal have qualified for the Champions league under Wenger; making them one of the most consistent teams in all of Europe.
57.3 – Wenger’s win percentage since taking over in 1996; higher than any ex-Arsenal manager who was in charge for more than 100 games.
8 – Wenger’s won 8 more games than Sir Alex Ferguson did in his first 1000 in charge of Manchester United.
390 – The cost ((£) millions) of the Emirates stadium. Wenger was crucial in the move to Arsenal’s new stadium – one which secured us as one of the greatest clubs in Europe.
11 – Le Professeur paid just £11 million to secure the signature of Thierry Henry; Arsenal’s all time leading goalscorer.
228 – And that’s the number of goals Henry scored during his time with Arsenal.
6 – The number of players in Arsenal’s official “All Time XI” that were signed by Wenger.
57.8 – Arsenal’s net spend on transfers ((£) millions) with Wenger in charge. Compare this to Chelsea’s £677.5 million over the same period, and it’s hard to believe Wenger has kept Arsenal competitive.
11 – Arsenal are eleven points ahead of Manchester United this season; a team which just lost their very own legendary manager. Is there a lesson to be learnt here?
153 – The number of managers the Premier League has seen since Wenger’s appointment in 1996.
1.9 – Arsenal’s goals per game ratio under Wenger. After his arrival in 1996, Arsenal have been admired all over the world for their exciting brand of attacking football.
0 – The number of times Spurs have finished above Arsenal since Wenger took charge.
So, I hope next time you wish for a “Wenger Sacked” headline in tomorrow’s papers, you’ll think about just how lucky we are to have him. And above all else, I hope you can all start to enjoy this season again. We’re favourites to win the FA Cup, virtually guaranteed to quality for the Champions League, and still have a game in hand against Chelsea in the Premier League.
Eighteen out of the nineteen other teams in the league will have had a worst season than us if we manage to win the FA Cup and stay in the top four. The grass isn’t always greener you know?
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Photo by Sara Zizza