Arsène Wenger

Personal information
Height	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)[1]
Position(s)	Various[a]
Team information
Current team	Arsenal (manager)
Youth career
1963–1969	FC Duttlenheim
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1969–1973	Mutzig
1973–1975	Mulhouse	56	(4)
1975–1978	ASPV Strasbourg
1978–1981	RC Strasbourg	11	(0)
Total		67	(4)
Managerial career
1984–1987	Nancy-Lorraine
1987–1994	Monaco
1995–1996	Nagoya Grampus Eight
1996–	Arsenal
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Arsène Wenger, OBE (French pronunciation: [aʁsɛn vɛŋ(ɡ)ɛʁ]; born 22 October 1949) is the manager of English Premier League side Arsenal. He is the club's longest serving manager and most successful, winning 11 individual honours since 1996. Wenger is credited for revolutionising football in England in the late 1990s, primarily by introducing changes in training methods and player diets and implementing a philosophy of organising his teams to play entertaining football.

Born in Strasbourg and subsequently raised in Duttlenheim, Wenger was introduced to football by his father, an entrepreneur. His career was modest, playing in different positions^[a] for various amateur clubs; while studying at the University of Strasbourg, he completed an economics degree in 1974. Wenger obtained his manager diploma in 1981 and subsequently began his managerial career, where he achieved greater triumph and recognition than during his playing career. Despite an unsuccessful period at Nancy, culminating in his dismissal after the club's relegation from the First Division in 1987, Wenger won the league championship with Monaco the following year. In 1991, he guided the club to victory in the Coupe de France, but failure to regain the domestic championship in later seasons led to Wenger departing Monaco by mutual consent in September 1994. He briefly coached Japanese J. League side Nagoya Grampus Eight, winning the Emperor's Cup and the Japanese Super Cup.

Wenger was named manager of Arsenal in 1996, and two years later, in 1998, became the first manager born outside Britain to win the league and cup double and replicated the achievement in 2002. In 2004, Wenger became the only manager in Premier League history to go through an entire season undefeated, a run which ended at 49 matches. His tenure brought the club their first appearance in a Champions League final at Paris in 2006 and oversaw Arsenal moving to the Emirates Stadium, after 93 years at Highbury.

The nickname "Le Professeur" is used by fans and the British media today, to reflect his studious demeanour. Wenger's approach to the game has been an emphasis on attack. His Arsenal teams are often criticised for their indiscipline, receiving 80 red cards between September 1996 and October 2010, though they have won awards for sporting fair play. At Monaco, Wenger earned a reputation for spotting young talent, and has retained a focus on developing a youth system, where the clubs he manages develop young players in preference to buying expensive, experienced players. He has faced criticism for sticking closely to his principals, with certain commentators questioning his ambition to win trophies.

Early life and playing career

Wenger was born on 22 October 1949 in Strasbourg, Alsace, to Alphonse and Louise Wenger. He was raised in the village of Duttlenheim, thirteen miles south west of his birthplace, along with his older sister and brother, Guy.^[5] Alphonse, like many Alsatians, was conscripted into the German army by incorpore de force (recruitment by force) following the annexation of Alsace-Lorraine during the Second World War.^[6][7] He was sent to fight on the Eastern Front at the age of 24, four years before Wenger was born.^[7] The war left the community "mentally scarred," with those choosing to rebel being subjected to "threats about what they would do to your parents."^[7]

In spite of his nationality, Wenger did not speak French until the age of seven, instead expressing himself in the local Alsatian dialect of Low Alemannic German.^[8] The family owned an automobile spare-parts business, as well as a bistro titled La Croix d'Or.^[9] Wenger regarded his childhood as "like being brought up in a kibbutz" because everyone looked after the children in the village.^[8] Reflecting on his upbringing in an address to the League Managers Association in 2009, Wenger said:

There is no better psychological education than growing up in a pub because when you are five or six years old, you meet all different people and hear how cruel they can be to each other. From an early age you get a practical, psychological education to get into the minds of people. It is not often that a boy of five or six is always living with adults in a little village. I learned about tactics and selection from the people talking about football in the pub – who plays on the left wing and who should be in the team.^[9]

Wenger was introduced to football by his father, the manager of the village team, "at about the age of six."^[10] He was taken to see games in Germany, where he held an affection for Borussia Mönchengladbach.^[11] As Alsace was an area steeped in religion, Wenger and the village boys were raised Catholic and often needed to seek permission from the priest to miss vespers (evening prayers), in order to play football.^[12] Because the population of Duttlenheim was small, fielding a team of 11 players of equal ages proved difficult. As a result, Wenger did not play team football until the age of 12.^[2]

For much of his youth, Wenger spent time playing football and organising matches for the village team, FC Duttlenheim.^[2] He made the first team at age 16 and was subsequently recruited to nearby third division club Mutzig. The club was famed for playing the "best amateur football" in Alsace, managed by Max Hild, who would later go on to become Wenger's mentor.^[5] Wenger's playing career was modest. He played in various positions^[a] and was described by Marcel Brandner, president of FC Duttlenheim as having "an ability to guard the ball ... he seemed to have a complete vision of the pitch and he certainly had an influence among his team-mates."^[7] He joined Mulhouse in 1973, where he spent time balancing studies at the Faculté des sciences économiques et de gestion (Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences) at the University of Strasbourg; he completed an economics degree^[b] in 1974.^[17] Staying on as an amateur, Wenger realised the importance and usefulness of speaking English in his studies and enrolled on a three-week language course at Cambridge.^[18] After two seasons at Mulhouse, during which time he made 56 league appearances, he rejoined Hild and signed for amateur club ASPV Strasbourg in 1975.^[2]

In 1978, Wenger joined RC Strasbourg and made his top-flight debut against Monaco.^[19] He only made twelve appearances for the team, including two as they won the Ligue 1 (then called Division 1) title in 1978–79, playing once in the UEFA Cup in the same season. In 1981, he obtained a manager's diploma and was appointed the coach of RC Strasbourg's youth team.^[20]

Managerial career

Nancy and Monaco: 1984–1994

Wenger joined Ligue 2 (then called Division 2) club AS Cannes as assistant manager in 1983. A year later, after being recommended by Aldo Platini (father of Michel Platini) he became manager of Nancy, who participated in Ligue 1.^[21] At the end of the 1984–85 season, his first as a manager, Nancy finished 11th in the league, four places higher than in the previous campaign. However, the club ended the 1985–86 season in 18th position and had to win a play-off match to avoid relegation.^[21] In Wenger's final season in charge, Nancy finished 19th and were relegated to Ligue 2.^[21] Aldo in later years defended the appointment of Wenger, stating "It wasn't [his] fault. He had no money to spend with us".^[21]

During his stay at Nancy, Wenger attracted the interest of fellow Ligue 1 club Monaco.^[21] In favour of taking up a challenge in the south, he offered his resignation prior to the start of the 1986–87 season, only to be turned down by Nancy president Jacques Rousselot.^[22] Following Nancy's relegation in 1987, Wenger was permitted to leave the club by mutual consent and join Monaco, succeeding manager Ștefan Kovács.^[21]

Wenger identified several players to build his desired team.^[22] Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Glenn Hoddle, granted a free transfer, and Patrick Battiston, out of contract at Bordeaux were drafted in.^[22] Striker Mark Hateley joined from A.C. Milan and was encouraged to hear his fellow Englishman Hoddle would be playing with him.^[23] Wenger won the league in his debut season at Monaco and finished six points ahead of runners-up Bordeaux.^[24] Despite scoring more goals in 1988–89 due to the purchase of Liberian striker George Weah, Monaco failed to retain the league and finished third behind Olympique de Marseille and Paris Saint-Germain.^[25] The club reached the final of the Coupe de France, the national knockout cup competition in the same season, but lost 4–3 to Marseille.^[26]

Monaco again finished third in 1989–90, with striker Ramón Díaz scoring 15 goals in his first season at the club.^[27] Wenger resolved to integrate more youth into the first team, signing 23-year old Youri Djorkaeff from RC Strasbourg and promoting Lilian Thuram and Emmanuel Petit from the reserve set up.^[28][29] Monaco ended the championship season as runners-up, but beat league winners Marseille in the Coupe de France final through a last minute goal from substitute Gérald Passi.^[26] In 1991–92, Wenger led Monaco to second place for the second successive season and lost the 1992 European Cup Winners' Cup Final 2–0 to Werder Bremen.^[30] Despite acquiring the services of German striker Jürgen Klinsmann, the club could not regain the championship, concluding the subsequent seasons in third and ninth positions.^[31][32] Monaco did reach the semi-finals of the Champions League in April 1994, but lost to eventual winners A.C. Milan.^[33] Wenger's reputation grew as a result of the run in Europe, with Bayern Munich in particular wanting him as their next manager.^[29] Monaco refused to let him leave and Wenger chose to stay, but a poor start to the 1994–95 season meant he was dismissed on 17 September 1994, with the team in 17th spot in the table.^[34] In 2001, Wenger said that the impact of bribery and corruption had influenced his decision to leave France, as Marseille, who had held Monaco off the top spot for several years, were found guilty in 1994 of match fixing.^[29]

Nagoya Grampus Eight: 1995–96

In January 1995, Wenger joined Japanese J. League team Nagoya Grampus Eight.^[35] It was there he hired former Valenciennes manager Boro Primorac, whom he had befriended in 1993, as his assistant.^[36] Wenger fully supported the Bosnian manager when he gave evidence against Marseille over match fixing. Primorac remained Wenger's 'right-hand man' for years to come, a position he still holds today.^[37]

Wenger enjoyed a successful 18-month stint with the club, winning the national cup competition, the Emperor's Cup, in his first season and being awarded with the J. League Manager of the Year award in 1995, making him the first foreign manager to be given the accolade.^[38] In his final season he took Nagoya Grampus from the bottom three to runners-up position in the league. This was the team's best showing until 2010, when Wenger's former protégé Dragan Stojković led the club to its first title, citing Wenger's positive influence and continued advice throughout the season.^[39]

Arsenal

1996–2003

In August 1996, Arsenal dismissed manager Bruce Rioch.^[40] In spite of the bookmakers installing former Barcelona player and manager Johan Cruyff as the favourite to take over from Rioch, Arsenal appointed Wenger on 30 September 1996, with him officially starting work the following day.^[41] Wenger was a close friend of club vice-chairman David Dein, whom he first met during a match between Arsenal and Queens Park Rangers in 1988.^[42] Though he was previously touted as a technical director of The Football Association, Wenger was a relative unknown in English football; the Evening Standard greeted his appointment with the headline "Arsène Who?".^[43][44]

A month before formally taking charge of the team, Wenger advised the club to sign French midfielders Patrick Vieira and Rémi Garde.^[46] His first match was a 2–0 away victory over Blackburn Rovers on 12 October 1996, but he did have direct input in the team's defeat to Borussia Mönchengladbach in the UEFA Cup, suggesting "one or two changes" to caretaker manager Pat Rice.^[47][48] Arsenal finished third in Wenger's first season, missing out on second place (occupied by Newcastle United), and hence Champions League qualification on goal difference.^[49]

In his second season, Arsenal won the Premier League and FA Cup, completing the second league and cup double in the club's history.^[50] The team, written off by many journalists after losing 1–3 at home to Blackburn Rovers had made up a twelve-point deficit on Manchester United in the final nine weeks of the season, securing the league title with two games to spare.^[51] The success was built on the inherited defence, consisting of Tony Adams, Steve Bould, Nigel Winterburn, Lee Dixon and Martin Keown, who contributed to a run of eight consecutive clean sheets between January and March 1998.^[52] Wenger regarded striker Dennis Bergkamp as the "catalyst" for their good form towards the end of the season and new signings, Petit as a partner for Vieira, winger Marc Overmars and teenage striker Nicolas Anelka also flourished from the manager's attack-minded principals.^[53][54]

The following seasons were comparatively barren with a series of near misses. In 1998–99 the club failed to retain the league title, losing out to Manchester United by a single point on the final day of the season.^[55] United also eliminated Arsenal in a FA Cup semi-final replay, with the winning goal scored by Ryan Giggs; Wenger rued after the match that "it was not our night and we were unlucky".^[56] A year later, Arsenal lost the 2000 UEFA Cup Final to Galatasaray on penalties^[57] and in 2001, were beaten by Liverpool in the 2001 FA Cup Final, having dominated the majority of the match.^[58] The trophy drought coincided with Wenger being linked to a coaching move to Barcelona.^[59] He however agreed to a new four-year contract in July 2001, giving the Arsenal board assurances over his commitment to the club.^[60] Wenger made no fewer than six signings in the summer, including the controversial arrival of Tottenham Hotspur defender and captain Sol Campbell on a free transfer^[61] and midfielder Giovanni van Bronckhorst from Rangers, as a replacement for Petit.^[62] Fredrik Ljungberg, Thierry Henry and Robert Pirès – brought in during preceding transfer windows, had now established themselves into the first team.^[63][64]

Wenger achieved the double once more in the 2001–02 season.^[65] The crowning moment was the win against Manchester United at Old Trafford in the penultimate game of the season.^[65] Striker Sylvain Wiltord scored the winning goal to secure the club's 12th league championship and third double; four days earlier, Arsenal beat Chelsea 2–0 in the 2002 FA Cup Final.^[66] The team scored in every single league fixture and remained unbeaten away from home, winning thirteen and drawing five.^[65][67]

Arsenal extended their good form into the 2002–03 season, overhauling Nottingham Forest's top-flight record of 22 league matches without defeat and surpassed Manchester United's Premier League total of 29 matches unbeaten.^[68] The team's impressive run led to Wenger declaring that it was possible for Arsenal to go the entire season unbeaten.^[c] Arsenal lost to Everton on 19 October 2002 – their first league defeat in over 10 months, but ascended into an eight point lead over challengers Manchester United by March 2003.^[70] In the final weeks of the season, Manchester United overhauled Arsenal, who threw away a two-goal lead against Bolton Wanderers to draw 2–2 and subsequently lost at home to Leeds United.^[70] Wenger was compensated with a 1–0 win over Southampton in the 2003 FA Cup Final, becoming the first manager since Keith Burkinshaw in 1982 to retain the trophy.^[71] He refuted suggestions that the season was a failure, by saying:

"Of course we want to win the league, but I think the most difficult thing for the club is to be consistent and we have been remarkably consistent. We lose the league to a team [Manchester United] who spends 50% more money every year – last year they bought a player for £30m pounds when they lost the championship. They will do the same next year and we [have] done miracles just to fight with them."^[72]

2003–present

In the 2003–04 season, Arsenal made history by winning the Premier League without a single defeat – an accomplishment last achieved by Preston North End 115 years ago, in the Football League.^[73] Wenger, who was derided for his suggestions that Arsenal could go unbeaten a year earlier reflected that he was "a season too early".^[74] Arsenal's run of 49 league games unbeaten came to an end with a 2–0 defeat at Manchester United on 24 October 2004.^[75] The team enjoyed another relatively strong league campaign, but finished second to Chelsea, who ended the season 12 points in front.^[76] Consolation again came in the 2005 FA Cup Final; Arsenal defeated Manchester United on penalties after a goalless final.^[77]

Arsenal endured two comparatively poor seasons in 2005–06 and 2006–07, finishing fourth in the Premier League on both occasions and outside of the top two for the first time under Wenger's tenure.^[78][79] The club reached their first Champions League final in May 2006, but ended the competition as runners-up, conceding twice in the final 15 minutes against Barcelona.^[80] In the summer of 2006, Arsenal relocated to the Emirates Stadium, which Wenger said was "vital" to the club's future, in order to compete at the top level.^[81] The club contested the 2007 Football League Cup Final in February 2007, fielding a young team throughout the competition, but ultimately came up short against Chelsea, losing 2–1.^[82]

The departure of Dein in April 2007 and club captain Henry two months later, led to uncertainty over Wenger's position as manager, prior to the 2007–08 season.^[83] In September 2007, Wenger signed a new three-year extension at Arsenal, insisting that he remained committed to "the club of my life".^[84] Arsenal made an impressive start in the league, losing once at the turn of the year and became the first team to reach 60 points in February 2008.^[85] A career threatening injury to striker Eduardo against Birmingham City on 23 February 2008 led to Wenger calling for a permanent football ban on tackler Martin Taylor, a comment he later retracted.^[86] A run of three consecutive draws in March for Arsenal ensured first Manchester United and subsequently Chelsea to overhaul Arsenal at the top of the league table, ending the season in third position.^[87]

Arsenal made a troubling start in Wenger's twelfth season, having sold first-team players Mathieu Flamini, Gilberto Silva and Alexander Hleb.^[88] In spite of going 21 matches without defeat in all competitions, securing fourth position in the league and reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League and FA Cup, Wenger was subject to open criticism from Arsenal fans – something he alluded to as "like being a murderer".^[89] Arsenal finished third in the league in 2009–10 and were eliminated in the quarter-finals of the Champions League by Barcelona.^[90] The performance of striker Lionel Messi in particular prompted Wenger to name him "the best player in world", likening the footballer to a PlayStation creation.^[90]

In August 2010, Wenger signed a further three-year contract to continue his managerial career at Arsenal.^[91] The club were on course for a quadruple trophy haul in 2010–11 before defeat to Birmingham City in the 2011 Football League Cup Final, when a mix-up between goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny and defender Laurent Koscielny allowed striker Obafemi Martins to score the winning goal.^[92] This was followed by a run of just two wins in 11 Premier League games, to take them from title contenders to a fourth place finish; they made exits in the FA Cup and the Champions League to Manchester United and Barcelona respectively.^[93][94] At the start of the 2011–12 season, Arsenal sold first team players Cesc Fàbregas and Samir Nasri.^[95] Suspensions and injuries left an understrength team to face Manchester United at Old Trafford on 29 August 2011, with the result ending 8–2, Arsenal's worst defeat for 115 years.^[96] Sir Alex Ferguson in his post-match comments defended Wenger from increasing criticism, as many lambasted the Frenchman for refusing to pay big money to bring established stars to the club.^[97] On the final day of the season, Arsenal secured third position in the Premier League and qualified for the Champions League for a fifteenth successive season.^[98]

Approach and philosophy

Wenger has been described as a coach who "has spent his career building teams that combine the accumulation of silverware with a desire to entertain and attack", and as "a purist, dedicated to individual and collective technical quality".^[99][100] The Times notes that since the 2003–04 season, Wenger's approach to the game has been an emphasis on attack.^[101] His style of play has been contrasted with the pragmatic approach of his rivals, but he has assembled teams to produce disciplined performances, markedly the 2005 FA Cup Final against Manchester United.^[102][103] Although Wenger for a number of years employed a 4–4–2 formation, since 2005, he has often relied on 4–5–1 with a lone striker and packed midfield.^[104] Beginning with the 2009–10 season, largely due to the development of Fàbregas, Wenger has instituted a fluid 4–3–3 formation at Arsenal, with the front five attackers changing positions freely during the match.^[105] The team, as a result have been criticised for lacking a "killer touch", being one-dimensional and want[ing] to score a 'nice' goal as opposed to shooting.^{[106][107][108]}

Since Wenger rarely gives interviews unrelated to football, little is known of his personal feelings. Living in Japan helped him control his emotions and define his behaviour whilst managing: "Everybody there is controlled. They laugh at you if you show emotion."^[109] His demeanour, once "mild-mannered" and reflective of his nickname "Le Professeur" has altered in recent seasons, with frequent touchline antics.^[110][111] Against Bolton Wanderers in April 2003, Wenger unknotted his tie and unbuttoned his cuffs, in frustration over conceding a late equaliser.^[112] By 2005, he was described as "angry and frustrated", after losing ground on Chelsea and Manchester United in the league.^[113] Wenger swore at journalists, after provoking him into saying certain Birmingham City players had kicked his team in their 1–1 draw on 27 March 2010.^[114]

Psychometric tests are used by Wenger, once every two years, to examine whether a player is mentally right for his squad.^[115] He encourages sportsmen to solve their own problems; when asked by a player with the ball for guidance on what to do next, Wenger shouted at him "Decide for yourself! Why don't you think it out?"^[116] Several players have rejuvenated their careers, under his guidance. Henry, his former protégé at Monaco, was developed from a winger into a striker, subsequently becoming Arsenal's all-time top goalscorer.^[117] He stood by captain Tony Adams, after admitting his battle with alcoholism in 1996.^[118] Dennis Bergkamp, who became a bit-part player in his final years at Arsenal, praised Wenger for getting the best out of him.^[119]

At Monaco, Wenger earned a reputation for unearthing young talent.^[120] He brought Liberian George Weah, recipient of the FIFA World Player of the Year with A.C. Milan in 1995 from Cameroonian side Tonnerre Yaoundé, and Nigerian Victor Ikpeba, who later became African Player of the Year from R.F.C. de Liège.^[121] The former, while receiving his award from FIFA president João Havelange and vice-president Lennart Johansson invited Wenger up to the stage, spontaneously giving his medal to the manager, as a token of his appreciation.^[122] Throughout his managerial career at Arsenal, Wenger has signed relatively unknown and inexperienced players such as Vieira, Fàbregas, Alex Song and Kolo Touré, helping their transition to become familiar names in European football.^[123][124] He continues to entrust youth, recruiting players from different nationalities, instead of purchasing experienced players, as a means of creating an "identity" with Arsenal: "I felt it would be an interesting experiment to see players grow together with these qualities, and with a love for the club. It was an idealistic vision of the world of football."^[125] UEFA president Michel Platini and Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge have openly criticised the policy, with the latter disputing it was tantamount to child trafficking.^[126][127] Wenger refuted the analogy, by saying "Look at Santa Cruz at Blackburn. Ask him what age he came to Bayern Munich. Then you have an answer for Rummenigge".^[127]

In England, Wenger is regarded for underlining the importance of diet and nutrition in football. He cited the culture of the country being at the root of the problem, adding "It's silly to work hard the whole week and then spoil it by not preparing properly before the game. As a coach you can influence the diet of your players. You can point out what is wrong."^[128] Dieticians were brought in at Arsenal to explain the benefits of a healthy lifestyle and Wenger acquired the help of Philippe Boixel, an osteopath for the France national team to work on realigning the players' bodies every month.^[129] Training sessions, "timed scientifically", lasted no more than 45 minutes.^[130] The innovations had a desirable effect on the team as it prolonged the careers of players over the age of 30.^[130]

Although Wenger has made some big-money signings for Arsenal, his net spending record on transfers is far superior to other leading Premier League clubs. A survey in 2007 found he was the only Premier League manager to have made a profit on transfers, and between 2004 and 2009, Wenger made an average profit of £4.4 million per season on transfers, far more than any other club.^[132][133] A notable example of his shrewdness in the transfer market was the purchase of Anelka from Paris Saint-Germain in 1997, for only £500,000^[134] and the player's subsequent sale to Real Madrid just two years later for £23.5 million.^[135] This enabled Wenger to buy three players: Henry, Pirès and Wiltord, who all played significant roles for Arsenal.^[136] The sale helped the club fund its new training centre at London Colney, which Wenger campaigned for.^[137][138] The Arsenal defence, which set a new record in 2006 after going 10 consecutive games without conceding a goal in the Champions League, cost the club less than £5 million to assemble.^[139] Wenger's reluctance to spend more money on transfers is often remarked as being the principal reason for Arsenal's failure to win trophies, since moving to the Emirates Stadium.^[140] The current youth system has not had its desired effects, with footballer Patrice Evra branding Arsenal a "football training centre", who are incapable of winning trophies.^[141] Regardless, Wenger has been able to sell his players at a higher cost; in February 2012, Arsenal announced a £46.1m profit, largely due to the sales of Fábregas, Nasri and Gaël Clichy.^[142][143] The departures of certain players beginning with Ashley Cole in 2006 have been claimed by certain commentators to be a sign that Arsenal were becoming an alleged "feeder club" to bigger teams.^[144]

Wenger is a stern advocate of financial fair play in football.^[145] He has criticised the long term approach of other clubs, namely Chelsea, Manchester City and Real Madrid for spending more than they take from revenue – something he refers to as "financial doping".^[146] The ongoing European sovereign debt crisis has coincided with Wenger forecasting that it will put football into "perspective", comments concurred by the Financial Times writer Gideon Rachman.^[147]

Foreigners at Arsenal

Several English players have started their careers at Arsenal under Wenger, including Cole, David Bentley, Steve Sidwell, Jermaine Pennant and Matthew Upson, while young English talent such as Theo Walcott, Kieran Gibbs and Jack Wilshere are still building careers at the club.^[148][149] However, Wenger has often been criticised for fielding many foreign players. In a league match against Crystal Palace on 14 February 2005, Arsenal fielded a 16-man squad, that featured no British players for the first time in the club's history. This prompted PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor to express it would begin "a worrying pattern for English football".^[150] In March 2006, manager Alan Pardew commented that Arsenal's Champions League success was "not necessarily a triumph for British football".^[151] Wenger saw the issue of nationality as irrelevant and said, "When you represent a club, it's about values and qualities, not about passports".^[152]

Other pundits including Trevor Brooking, the director of football development at The Football Association, have defended Wenger. Brooking has stated that a lack of English players in "one of England's most successful clubs" was more of a reflection of England's talent pool itself rather than Wenger, an opinion subsequently shared by youth team coach and ex-Liverpool player Craig Johnston.^[153][154]

Team indiscipline and fair play

Wenger's Arsenal sides were criticised for their indiscipline, receiving 80 red cards between September 1996 and October 2010.^[155] However, in both 2004 and 2005, Wenger's Arsenal topped the Premier League's Fair Play League tables for sporting behaviour and almost repeated the feat in 2006, finishing second.^{[156][157][158]} Their record as one of the most sporting clubs in the division continued up to 2009, featuring in the top four of the Fair Play table.^[159][160] Wenger's team again topped the fair play table for the 2009–10 season.^[161]

In February 1999, Wenger offered Sheffield United a replay of their FA Cup fifth round match immediately after the match had finished, due to the controversial circumstances in which it was won.^[162] Arsenal's winning goal, scored by Overmars, had resulted from Kanu failing to return the ball to the opposition after it had been kicked into touch to allow Sheffield United's Lee Morris receive treatment for an injury.^[163] Arsenal went on to win the replayed match 2–1.^[164]

Relations with others

Wenger's relations with his fellow football managers and officials have not always been genial. In a joint-interview with The Times and Daily Mail in 2009, he explained that his discourtesy is mistaken for 'mistrust': "There are managers I respect, and I respect what they do, but you cannot be completely friendly and open up".^[165] He is well known for his rivalry with Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.^[166] Beginning in 1997, the dispute reached its culmination in the infamous "Pizzagate" incident at Old Trafford in October 2004.^[167] After Manchester United ended Arsenal's 49 game unbeaten Premier League run, in acrimonious circumstances, a member of the Arsenal squad allegedly threw a pizza at the opposition in the tunnel.^[168] Wenger was fined £15,000, for calling United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy "a cheat" in a post-match television interview.^[169] Both managers have since agreed to tone down their words, in an attempt to defuse the rivalry.^[170]

During October and November 2005, Wenger became embroiled in a war of words with then Chelsea manager José Mourinho. Mourinho accused Wenger of having an "unprofessional obsession" with Chelsea, labeling Wenger a "rat" and "voyeur".^[171][172] Mourinho was quoted as saying, "He's worried about us, he's always talking about us – it's Chelsea, Chelsea, Chelsea, Chelsea".^[172] Wenger responded by pointing out he was only answering journalists' questions about Chelsea, and described Mourinho's attitude as "disrespectful".^[173] Mourinho has since been quoted as saying that he regrets the "voyeur" comment to which Wenger has accepted his apology.^[174]

Wenger has made controversial statements regarding referees when decisions have not gone his team's way. He has often tried to defend his players, involved in controversial incidents on the field, by saying that he has not seen the incident; this is an option Wenger says he resorts to when there is no "rational explanation" to defend him, and that he has the player's best interests in mind.^[175][176] In August 2000, he was charged with "alleged threatening behaviour and physical intimidation" towards fourth official Paul Taylor, after Arsenal's 1–0 defeat at Sunderland on the opening day of the 2000–01 season.^[177] A FA disciplinary commission found Wenger guilty, carrying a 12-match touchline ban and a fine of four weeks' salary.^[178] He successfully appealed the ban, but was reprimanded and fined £10,000 for his actions.^[179] Following the 2007 Football League Cup Final, he called a linesman a "liar", leading to an investigation by The Football Association, a fine of £2,500 and a warning.^[180][181] In March 2011, Wenger was charged with improper conduct by UEFA, over comments made to referee Massimo Busacca, after his team's defeat to Barcelona.^[182] He was fined €10,000 and suspended for one UEFA club competition match, later extended to a further two games, after he found guilty over communicating with Arsenal's bench, while serving a touchline ban against Udinese.^[183][184] A year later, Wenger was charged for post-match comments made about referee Damir Skomina, in Arsenal's defeat to A.C. Milan in the Champions League.^[185] He was fined £33,000 and handed a three-match touchline ban in the competition.^[185]

Plaudits and awards

At Arsenal, Wenger has enjoyed a great deal of support and backing from the club board of directors, who have demonstrated exceptional faith in the manager and his long-term vision.^[186] Despite failing to win a trophy at the club since 2005, supporters regularly display banners affirming "Arsène knows" and "In Arsène we trust" during matches at the Emirates Stadium.^[187][188] At the Arsenal valedictory campaign at Highbury throughout the 2005–06 season, supporters showed appreciation by holding a 'Wenger Day' as one of various themed matchdays. 'Wenger Day' was held on his 56th birthday on 22 October 2005, in a league match against Manchester City.^[189]

Dein described Wenger as the most important manager in the club's history: "Arsène's a miracle worker. He's revolutionised the club. He's turned players into world-class players. Since he has been here, we have seen football from another planet."^[190] Similar sentiments have been expressed by his fellow peers and former players, most notably from Alex Ferguson,^[191] Pep Guardiola,^[192] Patrick Vieira^[193] and Brian Clough, who described Wenger as a "top, top manager" after surpassing his Nottingham Forest side's record of 42 matches unbeaten.^[194] Former Watford manager Graham Taylor praised Wenger's contribution in English football: "It is that change of culture, the change of philosophy which I think was the most important ... I believe his biggest contribution to football is getting across the idea that players have to prepare right and look after themselves".^[195] American baseball manager Billy Beane regards Wenger as an "idol" to him, lauding his transfer strategy.^[196]

Wenger was awarded France's highest decoration, the Légion d'Honneur, in 2002^[197] and in the Queen's Birthday Honours List of 2003, he along with fellow Frenchman Gérard Houllier were awarded honorary OBEs for their services to football.^[198] In recognition of a decade at Arsenal, Wenger became the second foreign manager, after Italian-born Dario Gradi, to be inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame in 2006.^[199] Furthermore, a commissioned bronze bust of Wenger, similar to the earlier version of Herbert Chapman was unveiled as a tribute to him by the board of directors of Arsenal, at the club's annual general meeting on 18 October 2007.^[200] Wenger had an asteroid, 33179 Arsènewenger, named after him^[201] by the astronomer Ian P. Griffin, who states Arsenal as his favourite football club.^[202]

In January 2011, it was announced that Wenger was voted 'World Coach of the Decade' by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics.^[203] The organization aggregated the results from each year of the decade, and Wenger had narrowly beaten Ferguson and Mourinho for the honour.^[204]

Statistics

Player

^[205][206]