Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal reign reaches 20 years: Here is the story on his two decades in his players’ own words
French manager nicknamed the Professor was not initially liked on arrival in 1996 - but won over sceptics with his revolutionary methods which brought trophies galore
IT WAS 20 years ago this week that Arsene Wenger carried out his first Arsenal duties at a Highbury press conference ahead of his official appointment on October 1, 1996.
The arrival of the studious Frenchman was not exactly greeted with universal enthusiasm within the club.
As far as I was concerned, there was no football left in me when Arsene arrived. The way I was going, I was dead.
But together we gave me the chance to play on. I love Arsene dearly but coaching is not his strong point. He hates confrontation. He’ll never b****** you and he’ll never say you’re the best thing since sliced bread.
He spends too much time in his head. I kept on at him, ‘come on, boss, show me some emotions’. He’s frightened to let go.
Arsene considers that George Graham suppressed the ’91 team. I think the ’91 team was as talented as any squad that Arsene ever had.
DAVID DEIN
(Vice-chairman 1983-2007)
HE won’t be a difficult act to follow, he’ll be impossible.
He’s a hybrid. He’s highly intelligent, speaks five or six languages, is cool, calm and collected, a great tactician, and knows a lot about medicine.
I don’t think there’s anybody I’ve ever met who could challenge him for his knowledge of players around the world.
He’s revolutionised the club. We owe him a lot.