Arsene Wenger is a manager that most clubs would welcome.
He is Arsenal’s longest serving and most successful manager and he is about to complete 20 years at the Gunners.
Although his playing days were less conspicuous, as a manager he is among Arsenal and Premier League folklore, and the man they call The Professor knows his own mind and is somewhat noted for his stubbornness. The defiant one.
Wenger played under managers that shaped his belief in how football should be played and the science surrounding it. Wenger’s beliefs on nutrition, isometrics and the working on individual playing strengths are his impact on the game, not just at Arsenal, but wherever he has coached.
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An intelligent man with an economics degree, Wenger first worked with the youth and reserve teams at RC Strasbourg and continued to coach until he received his coaching badges and manager’s diploma in 1981. Wenger also realised the importance of being able to speak English and enrolled on courses to become fluent.
After a short stint managing Ligue 1 Nancy, Wenger took over the reigns at South Coast club AS Monaco. He recruited the likes of Patrick Battiston and Tottenham’s Glenn Hoddle, and in Wenger’s first season Monaco won the league. After being dismissed and leaving France, Wenger coached Magoya Grampus Eight in Japan for a year. And then Arsenal came calling after sacking Bruce Rioch.
The Premier League had never heard of Wenger and he was relatively unknown. At his first press conference Wenger told reporters: “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 potential.”
Things changed rapidly at Arsenal. Wenger was given complete control as the board stood back. The drinking culture at the club had to alter and Wenger became very hands-on during training sessions – he did everything his way and because of that, Arsenal were about to reap the benefits.
Success was just around the corner and Wenger’s reputation was enhanced not only because of his management, but also due to the number of shrewd signings he would make over time. He was widely criticised by pundits and reporters alike in the summer for making just the one signing, but look at where Arsenal are.
Wenger has been described by BBC Sport as a coach who “has spent his career building teams that combine the accumulation of silverware with a desire to entertain and attack”, and by the Daily Mail as “a purist, dedicated to individual and collective technical quality”. The Times notes that “since the 2003–04 season, Wenger’s approach to the game has placed an emphasis on attack.” However, it is has been suggested that Arsenal are not brutal enough in front of goal, as they prefer to score nice goals.
Several players have rejuvenated their careers under his guidance. Thierry Henry was developed from a winger into a striker and subsequently became Arsenal’s all-time top goalscorer. Wenger stood by captain Tony Adams, who publicly admitted to battling with alcoholism in 1996. Robin van Persie, considered a “troublesome” footballer before he moved to Arsenal, matured under Wenger and Dennis Bergkamp, who became a peripheral player in his final years at Arsenal, praised Wenger for getting the best out of him.
He has an eye for talent and throughout his time at Arsenal, Wenger has signed relatively unknown and inexperienced players, such as Patrick Vieira, Cesc Fabregas, Alex Song and Kolo Toure, helping them to become familiar names in European football.
So what we have is a man that has led Arsenal to three Premier League titles, six FA Cup wins and six Community Shield victories along with a host of personal managerial accolades. The Champions League continues to elude The Professor and probably always will, maybe it’s just that one trophy too far.
Many Arsenal fans, at the end of each season, think it’s time for him to go, but every year he sticks by his footballing principles and philosophy, and Arsenal always compete, always qualifying for Europe.
He knows what he wants and who he wants. And with that stubborn streak, his control at Arsenal and the success he has brought the Gunners,who is to to say he’s got it wrong?
He is the thinking man of football.
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