Arsène Wenger

This is a good article. Click here for more information.
Page semi-protected
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Arsène Wenger
OBE
Wenger in 2012
Personal information
Full name Arsène Charles Ernest Wenger
Date of birth (1949-10-22) 22 October 1949 (age 74)
Place of birth Strasbourg, France
Height 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)[1]
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
1963–1969 FC Duttlenheim
1969–1973 Mutzig
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
1987–1994 Monaco
1995–1996
Nagoya Grampus Eight
1996–2018 Arsenal
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Arsène Charles Ernest Wenger

OBE (French pronunciation: [aʁsɛn vɛŋɡɛʁ]; born 22 October 1949) is a French former football manager and player who is currently serving as FIFA's Chief of Global Football Development. He was the manager of Arsenal from 1996 to 2018, where he was the longest-serving and most successful in the club's history. His contribution to English football
through changes to scouting, players' training and diet regimens revitalised Arsenal and aided the globalisation of the sport in the 21st century.

Born in

in his first and only year.

Wenger was named manager of Arsenal in 1996; his appointment was greeted with little enthusiasm from the English media and his players alike. In 1998, he became the first foreign manager to win a

Champions League final in 2006, though the team lost to Barcelona. Wenger oversaw Arsenal's relocation to the Emirates Stadium
, and prioritised the club's finances in his second decade to meet costs. This coincided with a nine-year spell without winning a trophy, before Wenger guided Arsenal to further FA Cup successes in the 2010s; he holds the record for most wins in the competition with seven. He departed as manager in 2018.

The nickname "Le Professeur" is used by fans and the English press to reflect Wenger's studious demeanour. He is one of the most celebrated managers of his generation, having changed perceptions of the sport and profession in England and abroad. His approach to the game emphasises an attacking mentality, with the aim that football ought to be entertaining on the pitch. Wenger's Arsenal teams were criticised for their indiscipline and naivety; his players received 100 red cards between September 1996 and February 2014, though the team won awards for sporting fair play. At Monaco, Wenger earned a reputation for spotting young talent and developing a youth system, which he carried through at Arsenal.

Early life

Arsène Charles Ernest Wenger

Alsace-Lorraine.[5] He was sent to fight on the Eastern Front in October 1944, at the age of 24.[5]

The Wenger family owned an automobile spare parts business and a

Alsatian dialect of Low Alemannic German.[8] The primary school which Wenger attended was run by the Catholic Church,[9] and as one of its brightest students, he later was accepted into a secondary school in Obernai.[10]

According to his father, who also managed the village team, Wenger was introduced to football "at about the age of six".[11] He was taken to games in Germany, where he held an affection for Borussia Mönchengladbach.[4] Alsace was an area steeped in religion; Wenger and the village boys often needed to seek permission from the Catholic priest to miss vespers in order to play football.[12]

Playing career

Because the population of Duttlenheim was short in numbers, it proved difficult to field a team of 11 players of equal ages; Wenger did not play for FC Duttlenheim until the age of 12.[13] Claude Wenger, a teammate of Arsène's, noted his lack of pace as a player, which he made up for with his "ability to guard the ball, [seeming] to have a complete vision of the pitch and having an influence among his team-mates", according to Marcel Brandner, the president of FC Duttlenheim.[5] As a young teenager, he was called Petit; the nickname ceased when he had a growth spurt and broke into FC Duttlenheim's first team, aged 16.[14] The team did not have a coach to prepare the players tactically, rather a person who supervised training sessions.[15] Wenger took it upon himself to manage the side, with Claude stating "Arsène wasn't the captain and yet he was. It was 'You do this, you do that, you do this, you do that.' He was the leader".[15]

Wenger's manager at RC Strasbourg, Gilbert Gress

In 1969, Wenger was recruited to nearby third division club

Strasbourg 3–0 to win the Coupe d'Alsace.[19][20][21] He also represented Alsace in a competition held annually between the regional leagues.[22]

Wenger took his studies further, and in 1971 enrolled at the Faculté des sciences économiques et de gestion [fr] (Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences) at the University of Strasbourg to read politics and economics after a brief stint in medicine.[16] In 1973 he joined semi-professional club Mulhouse and balanced his football career with his education.[22][23] Wenger completed an economics degree[nb 1] a year later.[28] He was selected to represent the national French students squad and visited Nigeria, Lebanon, and Uruguay – where the World Students Championship was held in 1976.[29] Wenger did not participate in the event as he was injured; Jean-Luc Arribart, captain of the team recalled: "By the end of that trip, Arsène had almost taken on the role of assistant coach and team joker rolled into one."[30]

Trading card of Wenger with Strasbourg in 1979. Issued by Panini.

At Mulhouse, Wenger was managed by

ASPV Strasbourg (Vauban).[32] Hild needed a midfielder "who could organise play and also have a sort of hold over the team" and decided to recruit Wenger.[32] Vauban was formed in 1971, and made steady progress up the French football league system thereafter; Wenger's three seasons at the club culminated with promotion to the third division.[33]

Wenger as a Strasbourg player in 1980

In 1978, Hild joined Strasbourg as coach of the reserve team.

UEFA Cup (a match Strasbourg lost 4–0) and a month later, Wenger played against champions Monaco in the First Division.[36] At the end of the 1978–79 season, RC Strasbourg won the league; Wenger did not join in the celebrations as he was preoccupied with the youth team.[37] He made his final appearance for the senior side in 1979.[38]

Wenger spent the last two years of his playing career predominantly running Strasbourg's reserve and youth team. He became conscious of the importance of speaking English, and during his holidays enrolled on a three-week language course at the University of Cambridge.[39] Wenger also studied for his coaching badge at the Centre de ressources, d'expertise et de performance sportives [fr] (CREPS) in Strasbourg – this consisted of a course to coach children, followed by an intensive six-day course which led up to the national coaching badge.[40] The latter programme took place in Vichy, and was spread over three weeks, allowing Wenger to be able to put Frantz's teachings of isometrics into practice.[41] In 1981, he received his manager's diploma in Paris.[42]

Managerial career

1984–1994: Nancy and Monaco

Wenger's management skills at Strasbourg impressed many French coaches, and he moved to Ligue 2 club Cannes in 1983, where he became Jean-Marc Guillou's assistant.[43] Earning a steady wage of £300 per week, he was responsible for collecting information about opposition teams, and instilled discipline in the players through training sessions.[44] Wenger's commitment to football was well documented; when asked what the young coach did during his spare time, general manager Richard Conte replied: "Videos, videos, videos. He was always watching videos of his opponents, of his own team. It didn't matter what time of night."[45] Cannes failed to win promotion to Ligue 1, but they reached the quarter-finals of the Coupe de France.[46] Wenger's work in raising the standard of the squad did not go unnoticed, and in 1984, he accepted Aldo Platini's offer to become manager of Nancy.[47]

Ballon d'Or winner George Weah played under Wenger at Monaco, where he won the Coupe de France.

The challenge of sustaining Nancy as a Ligue 1 club was difficult as Wenger inherited a squad of sub-standard quality and he was given limited money to spend.[48] He nevertheless relished the prospect of conducting business in the transfer market, and enjoyed freedom to trial theories he read about.[48] In his first season at Nancy, Wenger hired a dietician to explain the benefits of healthy eating and made it imperative that players did not snack before games.[49] He took the squad away from their usual summer training camp to Val Thorens, so that the players could acclimatise to the high-altitude.[49] Platini attested the move to their strong league starts.[49] From a managerial perspective, Wenger struggled to keep his emotions in check; losing made him "physically sick", to the point where he once stopped the team bus to vomit after a game.[45] Wenger guided the club to a respectable 12th-place finish, all the more surprising given he constantly tinkered his team.[48] Players were moved out of their favoured positions, which for some maximised their potential.[48] Éric Bertrand, a striker signed from the lower divisions, was converted into a fullback, and by the end of Wenger's time at Nancy, Éric Di Meco switched from a left winger to wing back.[50]

Argentine striker Ramón Díaz came to Monaco under Wenger in 1989.

Nancy's bottom-half finish proved a false dawn as the club finished 18th in the 1985–86 season, which meant they had to win a play-off match to avoid relegation. They retained their league status with a 3–2 aggregate win against Mulhouse. [51] The club however sold several of their best players to avoid financial predicament and provided Wenger with little funds to work with.[52][53] In Wenger's final season in charge, Nancy finished 19th and were relegated to Ligue 2.[53] Despite the setbacks, he was contacted by Monaco over their vacant managerial job.[54] Talks had begun during the summer of 1986, but Nancy chairman Gérard Rousselot refused to release Wenger from his contract, and Monaco were not prepared to offer compensation.[54][55] Once Nancy's relegation was confirmed, Wenger was permitted to leave the club by mutual consent and was confirmed as Monaco manager in 1987.[47]

Before joining Monaco, Wenger had identified several players to build his desired team.

Milan to join Monaco and was "encouraged to learn" that his fellow Englishman Hoddle would play in the same side as him.[57] Monaco won the league in Wenger's debut season, six points ahead of runners-up Bordeaux.[58] Although the team scored more goals in 1988–89 due to the purchase of Liberian striker George Weah, Monaco failed to retain the league and finished third behind Marseille and Paris Saint-Germain.[59] 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.[60]

Monaco again finished third in

1992 European Cup Winners' Cup Final 2–0 to Werder Bremen.[63] Although Monaco acquired the services of German striker Jürgen Klinsmann, the club could not regain the championship and concluded the subsequent seasons in third and ninth positions.[64][65] Monaco did reach the semi-finals of the Champions League in April 1994, but lost to eventual winners Milan.[66] As a result of his work at Monaco, Wenger was sought after by German club Bayern Munich, who wanted him to be their next manager.[67] 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.[68] In 2001, Wenger said that the impact of bribery and corruption had influenced his decision to leave France, as Marseille were found guilty of match fixing in 1994.[69]

1994–1996: Nagoya Grampus Eight

Shortly after his dismissal, Wenger travelled to the United Arab Emirates to attend a series of conferences held by FIFA.

Nagoya Grampus Eight soon met with Wenger and offered him the chance to become the club's manager.[70] Wenger deliberated, even though the idea of working abroad appealed to him; negotiations between the two parties lasted for two months.[71] In that time, he sought the advice of his closest friends and family, and flew to Japan to watch Nagoya Grampus' striker Gary Lineker make his final appearance before his professional retirement.[72] In December 1994, Wenger agreed to become manager of Nagoya Grampus, on a two-year contract worth ¥75m annually.[73]

Dragan Stojković flourished under Wenger's guidance at Nagoya Grampus.

With the new season of the J.League commencing in March 1995, Wenger set about assembling his squad and backroom staff. He hired former Valenciennes manager Boro Primorac, whom he had befriended during the match-fixing scandal, as his assistant.[74] Alexandre Torres joined Nagoya after Wenger identified the defender by watching Brazilian football on the television, and the manager brought in Franck Durix and his former player Passi.[75] Nagoya finished bottom of the J.League the season before Wenger's arrival,[73] and continued their poor form into the following campaign, losing several matches in a row.[75] In response to the situation, Wenger altered his managerial style, becoming less amicable with his players and openly questioning their desire.[76] To boost morale, he took his squad to Versailles for their mid-season break, where they went through a rigorous, but creative, training regime.[77] Players were expected to make decisions for themselves on the pitch, instead of relying on the manager;[76] Wenger was reported to have shouted to his players "Don't look at me to ask me what to do with the ball!"[77] and "Decide for yourself! Why don't you think it out?"[78] One player who greatly benefited from Wenger's guidance was Dragan Stojković, a midfielder whose disciplinary record improved considerably.[79][80]

Wenger's methods had the desired effect – Nagoya won 17 of their following 27 games to finish

George Graham's successor Bruce Rioch meant they were more open-minded about hiring him since his stint in Japan.[86]

Wenger managed Nagoya for the final time on 28 August 1996 and delivered a farewell speech, thanking the fans in Japanese.[86][87] Assessing his time in Japan, biographer Jasper Rees felt Wenger had left a mixed legacy at the club, as the immediate success was followed by fluctuating league finishes;[87] it was not until 2010 that Nagoya (under Stojković) won their first title.[88] Wenger continued to speak fondly of his career in Japan, and once likened the country to his ancestral home: "It has beautiful things that we have lost in Europe, beautiful things that make life good."[89] He also credited the culture for improving his temperament and rediscovering his passion for the game.[90][91] Wenger returned to Japan as a television pundit for the 2003 FIFA Confederations Cup,[92] and a decade later, took Arsenal to face Nagoya in a pre-season friendly.[93]

1996–2018: Arsenal

1996–1997: Appointment and first season

In August 1996, Arsenal dismissed Bruce Rioch as club manager.[94] Rioch's position had become untenable after a dispute with the board over transfers, and his working relationship with Dein worsened during the course of his tenure.[94] Arsenal appointed Stewart Houston and later Pat Rice in temporary charge of the first team, while they searched for a full-time successor.[95] Although Barcelona player and manager Johan Cruyff was favourite to take over,[96] the board looked elsewhere, eventually backing Dein's proposal to hire Wenger.[97] The appointment was delayed for several weeks as Wenger was under contract at Nagoya Grampus and the club wanted time to make a final decision.[98] In the meantime, the Arsenal board refused to confirm the identity of their next manager, but speculation grew that it would be Wenger once the club signed French midfielders Patrick Vieira and Rémi Garde.[99] On 22 September 1996, Wenger was unveiled as Arsenal manager, after Nagoya Grampus granted him his release.[100] He officially assumed the role on 1 October 1996, becoming the first Frenchman to manage in the Premier League.[101] At his first press conference, he told reporters: "The main reason for coming is that I love English football, the roots of the game are here. I like the spirit round the game and at Arsenal I like the spirit of the club and its potential."[102]

"At first, I thought: What does this Frenchman know about football? He wears glasses and looks more like a schoolteacher. He's not going to be as good as

George [Graham]
. Does he even speak English properly?"

Arsenal captain

Tony Adams.[103]

Wenger's unveiling took place at Highbury in September 1996.

Wenger's arrival at Arsenal was greeted with perplexity by some of the club's players, supporters and the local media.

Creatine, which reduced fatigue and improved their stamina.[112]

Wenger's first match was a 2–0 away victory over Blackburn Rovers on 12 October 1996,[113] however, he did suggest "one or two changes" to Rice in Arsenal's UEFA Cup defeat to Borussia Mönchengladbach on 24 September, nine days prior to taking charge of the club.[114] The interference upset club captain Tony Adams, who on his first meeting with the manager expressed his disappointment: "I said to him that he had put our entire season in jeopardy by doing what he had done."[115] Wenger chose to take the criticism on board upon arrival, and made an effort listening to Adams' assessment of the club.[116] This particular approach of management resonated with the other players, who were sceptical of his ideas at first. The English players often set up pranks on Wenger to relieve hostility and nicknamed him "Inspector Clouseau", due to his clumsy nature.[117] Adams said his sense of humour helped build team spirit: "Not only does Wenger love a good laugh, but he can laugh at himself. He is this gangly wise man".[118]

Malicious rumours concerning Wenger's private life surfaced during November 1996, to the extent that the City of London reported that his exit from Arsenal was imminent.[119] Having returned from a trip to Strasbourg to visit his parents, Wenger attended a press meeting and strongly refuted the claims: "If something comes out that is wrong, I will attack. It is a serious matter if you can just create things that are not right."[119] Arsenal's press officer Clare Tomlinson, who was present at the news conference, recalled Wenger phoning the next day and demanding why he could not take action against the press for printing the story.[120] The culprit responsible for spreading gossip in the City later apologised to Wenger.[121] During this, Arsenal had led the Premier League, but poor form in February 1997 caused Wenger to rule out his team's chances of winning the title.[122] They finished third in his first season, missing out on UEFA Champions League qualification to Newcastle United on goal difference – the tiebreaker used to determine the ranking between teams equal on points.[123]

1997–2001: Early success

In preparation for the

forthcoming season, Wenger took the Arsenal squad to Austria, which would become the club's usual pre-season base.[124] The players were given a night out as a reward for vigorous training, which midfielder Ray Parlour revealed was spent at a local pub with the other English players, while the "French lads" headed to the coffee shop and smoked.[125] "How are we going to win the league this year? We're all drunk and they're all smoking," he recollected.[125] Wenger continued to fine-tune the squad during this period. Having vetoed John Hartson's move to West Ham United in February 1997, he convinced French teenager Nicolas Anelka to join Arsenal.[126][127] He raided his old club Monaco to acquire the services of Christopher Wreh, Gilles Grimandi and Emmanuel Petit.[128] The latter two were defenders, but Wenger thought both were capable of playing in midfield.[128] To address the shortcomings of playing expansive football, winger Marc Overmars was purchased from Ajax, while Paul Merson moved to Middlesbrough.[129][130] Wenger assessed Arsenal lost the Premier League because of their poor home performances, and felt they needed more pace and power.[129]

Arsenal began the 1997–98 season well, but struggled in November; though they beat Manchester United at Highbury without the suspended Dennis Bergkamp.[131] This was their only league win throughout the month.[132] Defeat at home to Blackburn Rovers left the club in sixth position before Christmas and seemingly out of contention for the title.[133] Striker Ian Wright was booed off by supporters over his performance, which he responded to by criticising the crowd from the dressing room window.[134] Wenger called for an urgent team meeting, where "home truths were spoken, fingers pointed, players were geed up."[135] The squad dictated how the conversation went, which the senior defenders made it clear they wanted Vieira and Petit to provide cover.[136]

Dennis Bergkamp was a regular in Wenger's early teams.

Such was the likelihood of Manchester United going on to retain the title,

1998 FA Cup Final.[143]

Wenger sanctioned Wright's transfer to West Ham in the summer and made Anelka his first-choice striker ahead of the

Juventus for £11.5 million.[154] It was Wenger's intention to partner Anelka with Henry, but the former's departure meant the plan was scrapped.[155]

The following seasons were comparatively barren. Arsenal again exited the Champions League at the group stage, but dropped down to the UEFA Cup.

FA Cup Final.[159] Wenger rued his team's inability to make possession count, but refused to blame individuals, namely Henry, for missing chances.[160]

2001–2006: Second double, Invincibles, and leaving Highbury

The cup defeat prompted Wenger to make changes to his squad.

2002 FA Cup Final.[167] The team scored in every single league fixture and were unbeaten away from home that season.[168][169]

Wenger in 2003

Wenger appointed Vieira as club captain following Adams' retirement, and made few additions to his double-winning squad, signing defender

2002–03 season; a 2–0 victory against Birmingham City was their 14th league win in succession.[173] They continued their fine start by overhauling Nottingham Forest's top-flight record of 22 away league matches without defeat and later surpassed Manchester United's Premier League total of 29 matches unbeaten.[174] Arsenal lost to Everton in October 2002, which began a run of four matches without a win.[175] Though Wenger's team built an eight-point lead over challengers Manchester United by March 2003, they were overhauled in the final weeks of the season.[176] The title race shifted in United's favour when Bolton Wanderers came from behind to draw 2–2 against Arsenal.[176] Wenger showed moments of exasperation during the match by loosening his tie and bellowing orders from the touchline. Journalist Phil McNulty wrote that Wenger's demeanor "spoke of someone who had the title in his grasp but now saw it slipping from his fingers".[177] Arsenal beat Southampton 1–0 to retain the FA Cup at the end of the campaign.[178]

During pre-season, Wenger arranged a meeting with the players to examine why they lost the league.

Football League.[183] "Somebody threw me a T-shirt after the trophy was presented which read 'Comical Wenger says we can go the whole season unbeaten.' I was just a season too early!," he remarked during the club's victory parade.[184]

Arsenal's run of 49 league games unbeaten came to an end with a 2–0 defeat at Manchester United on 24 October 2004.

2006–2011: Stadium move and transition

In the summer of 2006, Wenger oversaw Arsenal's relocation to the Emirates Stadium.

League Cup final in February 2007 and were the youngest to play in a major English cup final, averaging 21 years.[198] They ultimately came up short against Chelsea, who won the match 2–1.[199] Arsenal finished fourth in the 2006–07 league season;[200] Wenger had ruled out their title chances following defeat to Bolton in November 2006.[201] The team's lack of directness and efficiency of possession was a familiar theme during the campaign;[202] Guardian journalist Daniel Taylor observed two matches into the league season: "The most watchable side are frequently the most frustrating. Arsenal are wonderfully incisive yet infuriatingly blunt."[203]

Wenger in training with Arsenal in 2009

In April 2007, Dein left Arsenal due to "irreconcilable differences" about the future of the club.[204] Wenger described it as a "sad day for Arsenal," and sought assurances from the board over his future as well as reasons for Dein's departure.[205] The instability at board level influenced club captain Henry's decision to leave Arsenal in June 2007, which led to uncertainty over Wenger's position.[206] In September 2007, Wenger signed a new three-year extension, insisting that he remained committed to "the club of my life."[207] (In 2021, Wenger revealed that his signing of the contract extension was his side of a deal with the Arsenal board in the building of the new stadium, because he requested its construction.)[208] Arsenal flourished in Henry's absence, with Emmanuel Adebayor, Mathieu Flamini and Fàbregas playing a more prominent role in the 2007–08 season.[209][210] Defeat to Middlesbrough in December 2007 ended a run of 22 league matches unbeaten,[211] but Arsenal soon built a five-point lead over Manchester United.[212] A career-threatening injury to striker Eduardo against Birmingham City on 23 February 2008 acted as a turning point in Arsenal's season.[213] Wenger, incensed at the aggressive tactics of opponents, called for a ban on tackler Martin Taylor in his post-match interview; he later retracted the comment.[214] Arsenal's form subsequently suffered, and a run of three consecutive draws in March allowed Manchester United and Chelsea to overhaul them as they finished the season in third.[212]

Arsenal made a troubled start to Wenger's twelfth season. The club relieved Gallas of his captaincy, after he openly questioned his teammates, and Wenger appointed Fàbregas as his successor.[215] Arsenal secured fourth position in the league and reached the semi-finals of the Champions League and FA Cup, but it was a fourth season without silverware.[216] Wenger was subject to criticism from Arsenal fans; he praised the travelling supporters, though referred to a section of the home crowd as treating him "like a murderer".[217] Arsenal finished third in the league in 2009–10[218] and the team were eliminated in the quarter-finals of the Champions League by Barcelona.[219] Wenger had reached a landmark in October 2009, surpassing George Allison to become Arsenal's longest-serving manager.[220]

In August 2010, Wenger signed a further three-year contract to continue his managerial career at Arsenal.

2011 Football League Cup Final, when a mix-up between goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny and defender Laurent Koscielny allowed Obafemi Martins to score the winning goal.[222] This was followed by a run of just two wins in eleven Premier League games, to take them from title contenders to a fourth-place finish.[223] Arsenal then made exits in the FA Cup and the Champions League to Manchester United and Barcelona, respectively.[224]

2011–2018: Rebuilding, return of trophies, and departure

Wenger's preparations for the

2011–12 season were disrupted by player unrest. Though he insisted none of his top players would leave the club, Fàbregas eventually moved to Barcelona, while Gaël Clichy and Samir Nasri joined Manchester City.[225] Suspensions and injuries left Wenger fielding an understrength side against Manchester United on 29 August 2011; Arsenal were trounced 8–2, which represented their worst defeat in 115 years.[226] Needing to address the squad's lack of depth, Wenger completed a series of deals in the final days of the summer transfer window.[225] He mostly brought in experienced players, such as Yossi Benayoun on loan from Chelsea, Everton's Mikel Arteta and Germany international Per Mertesacker.[227] By October, Arsenal had made their worst start to a season in 58 years, losing four of their opening seven matches.[228] However, the team soon harmonised and, in the same month, club captain Robin van Persie scored a hat-trick as Arsenal beat Chelsea 5–3.[229] Despite another season of no silverware, Wenger guided Arsenal to third position in the Premier League, thus qualifying for the Champions League for a 15th successive campaign.[230] Van Persie had scored 37 goals, in his first injury-free season for the club.[231] He, however, grew disillusioned with Arsenal's transfer policy, and decided not to renew his contract, with one year remaining. When Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson learnt of the situation, he called Wenger to push through a deal and Van Persie agreed to join Manchester United in August 2012.[232] The club purchased strikers Olivier Giroud and Lukas Podolski in anticipation of the sale.[233]

Wenger in 2016

The 2012–13 season was Wenger's first without Rice, who retired in late spring.[234] Bould was named as his replacement, who specialised in defensive work.[234] Arsenal struggled to find consistency in the league and were 12 points behind leaders Manchester United by November 2012.[235] A month later, Wenger came under strong criticism following his side's exit in the League Cup to Bradford City, when a full-strength team lost on penalties to opposition three divisions below.[236] Further cup defeats to Blackburn Rovers and Bayern Munich in the FA Cup and Champions League, respectively, ended Arsenal's trophy chances for an eighth consecutive season.[237] Before the first leg, Wenger had criticised the media for reporting he was about to sign a contract extension, and said of the Blackburn game: "We lost it in the last 20 minutes, so there are a lot of superficial analyses that you cannot accept. Because one guy says something, everybody goes the same way".[238]

Arsenal's chances of finishing in the top four appeared over by March, after defeat to Tottenham Hotspur.[239] With ten league matches remaining, they were seven points behind their rivals, and Wenger admitted his side could not afford any more dropped points.[239] He made changes to the side for their second leg against Bayern, dropping captain Thomas Vermaelen and Szczęsny, in place of Koscielny and Łukasz Fabiański.[240] Though Arsenal were eliminated on the away goals rule,[241] Wenger's adjustments worked in the league as his team went on a run to overhaul Tottenham for a second successive season.[240] A win on the final day against Newcastle United secured fourth position, which Wenger described as a "relief".[242]

Arsenal opened the

2013–14 season with a home defeat to Aston Villa, which prompted boos from the supporters.[243] The club's transfer inactivity over the summer was criticised, but Wenger assessed: "We could have won the game today with the players on the pitch, I'm convinced of that."[243] In the final week of the transfer window, he re-signed Flamini and sanctioned the club record signing of Mesut Özil from Real Madrid, totalling £42.5 million.[244] Wenger was instrumental in the latter deal; he phoned and spoke to the German in his native language, convincing him that a move to England would enhance his career.[245] Arsenal's form thereafter improved and Aaron Ramsey's goalscoring spree elevated the team to first position by the New Year. Poor performances in the big games, however, blighted Arsenal's title credentials, with a 6–0 loss to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge being described as "a good hiding [as] you don't prepare all week to experience that."[246] The defeat marked Wenger's 1,000th match in charge of Arsenal.[247] Arsenal consolidated fourth position in the league, and Wenger guided his team to FA Cup success, as they came from two goals down to beat Hull City in the final, and clinch Arsenal their first trophy in nine years.[248] At the end of the season, Wenger signed another three-year extension to his Arsenal contract.[249] He strengthened the squad by signing Alexis Sánchez from Barcelona in July 2014, who started in the 2014 FA Community Shield that Arsenal won by beating Manchester City 3–0, and during the course of 2014–15, Wenger promoted Francis Coquelin and Héctor Bellerín into the first team.[250][251] Wenger won his sixth FA Cup in May 2015, which placed him alongside George Ramsay as the most successful manager in the competition's history.[252] Wenger guided the club to an improved third place in the league that season, and the club saw further improvement in the 2015–16 season as they finished as league runners-up, while retaining the FA Community Shield by defeating Chelsea 1–0.[253]

Wenger in his final home match as manager of Arsenal in 2018

Arsenal financed moves for Granit Xhaka and Shkodran Mustafi in mid-2016 for a combined £65 million, rendering the pair one of Arsenal's most expensive ever signings, as Wenger hoped to guide the club to their first league title win in over thirteen years the following season.[254][255] Although Arsenal began strongly in the league, losing only once until December, back-to-back defeats to Everton and Manchester City resulted in Arsenal losing their stronghold on the league. Wenger also served a four-match touchline ban and had to pay a £25,000 fine after pushing referee Anthony Taylor during a win at home against Burnley.[256] Further defeats to Chelsea and Liverpool all but rendered Arsenal out of the title race, and left qualification to the Champions League threatened by March. On 30 April, Arsenal lost to main rivals Tottenham which had confirmed the latter had finished above them in the Premier League for the first time since the 1994–95 FA Premier League season.[257] The following month also saw them fail to finish in the top four since the 1996–97 FA Premier League season.[258] On 27 May, Wenger became the most successful manager in the history of the FA Cup as Arsenal beat Premier League winners Chelsea 2–1 at Wembley through goals from Alexis Sánchez and Aaron Ramsey. The victory represented a further record for Wenger, as Arsenal too, became the most successful club in the competition's history as they won the competition for the 13th time.[259] Four days following the win, Wenger signed a contract extension until 2019.[260]

In mid-2017, Wenger brought in two signings;

Invincibles season as a departing gift from Arsenal.[266] He officially concluded his tenure with a 1–0 away win against Huddersfield Town.[267] Wenger later revealed that he wanted to stay at the club until the expiration of his contract, but the club thought it better he leave,[268] with the board informing him in January of their decision to end his contract at the end of the season.[269] He described the hostility he faced from the board and fans as "unjustified" and his exit as "very hard" and "very brutal".[270]

Career after management

As of November 2019, Wenger became FIFA's Chief of Global Football Development,[271] a role in which he is responsible for overseeing and driving the growth and development of the sport. He also takes senior authority as a member of the Football and Technical Advisory Panels involved in IFAB review giving judgement on rule changes mandated by FIFA.[271] In this role, Wenger was also inducted chairman of FIFA's executive team which conducts technical analysis of official FIFA tournaments and delivers feedback.[271] Following his departure from Arsenal, in a preview of his second book, he called the FIFA role "a new challenge".[272] In 2019, Wenger invested in sports technology company Playermaker.[273]

Approach and philosophy

Tactics

Wenger was inspired by Borussia Mönchengladbach as a child, and was later influenced by Total Football, a playing style developed by Rinus Michels at Ajax in the 1970s.[274] He recollected the team as having "perfect players everywhere and that was the sort of football I wanted to be playing myself".[275] At Monaco, he employed a 4–4–2 formation, though he did trial 4–3–3, akin to Michels'.[276] Wenger is an advocate of 4–4–2 as "no other formation is as efficient in covering space",[277] but used it sparingly in his final seasons.[278]

Arsenal's line up against Reading in November 2007.[279] Wenger's decision to play Alexander Hleb further up in games increased the team's efficiency.[280]

Throughout his managerial career, Wenger has trusted his players to perform and learn from their own mistakes,[281] a quality Vieira regards as his biggest strength and weakness.[282] Wenger encourages sportsmen to show intuition, and makes observations rather than explicitly giving orders.[283] Campbell reflected that his former manager "puts a lot of onus on players to change the game" and "he wants certain players – especially in the last third – to be able to produce it and give something different".[284] When Wenger joined Arsenal, he spoke of his desire to see "real, modern football. That means compact lines, of zones, of quick, coordinated movements with a good technique."[285] He characteristically focuses on the strengths of his teams, rather than looking for areas to exploit the opposition.[281]

"For me, football is first and foremost a game. It has a framework, yet should leave some part for freedom of expression. In France nowadays we seem to have found the right balance between team organisation and the freedom allowed to the player."

Wenger in an interview with The Sunday Times, April 2004.[283]

During a match against Borussia Mönchengladbach in 1996, Wenger presided over Rice's caretaker duties at Arsenal, and ordered the team to switch from their preferred 3–5–2 formation to 4–4–2.[283] The tactical change did not have its desired effect, as Arsenal lost the game having led before Wenger's half-time instruction.[283] For much of the 1996–97 season, Arsenal continued to play 3–5–2 as it was the only formation the defenders were comfortable with, as well as injuries unsettling the side.[286][287] In Wenger's second season at the club, he reinstated 4–4–2 and focused on strengthening the front six, by signing wingers Overmars and Luís Boa Morte and partnering Vieira with Petit.[287][288] According to Jonathan Wilson, the system was similar to 4–3–3, as Overmars often pushed higher up the field and Parlour played alongside Vieira and Petit to solidify the midfield.[289] Needing to compensate deficiencies in attack the following season, Wenger relied on his experienced defence to direct games, which conceded 17 goals in 38 league matches.[290] From then on, Wenger deployed an unconventional 4–4–2 with a greater emphasis on attack and movement; his teams between 2001 and 2004 were dominant on the left flank.[291]

By the 2005–06 season, clubs in England were increasingly in favour of using the 4–5–1 system.[292] Wenger, having earlier suggested he would never resort to a negative system,[293] later adopted the formation for Champions League matches.[294] The decision to pack the midfield and play a lone striker resulted in Arsenal reaching the final.[294] With Fábregas breaking into the first team, Wenger chose to deviate from their counter-attacking style, to a more possession based one.[295] In 2009–10, he instituted a fluid 4–3–3 formation to benefit from Fàbregas' creativity,[296] and since the player's departure, had remodelled the system to 4–1–4–1[297] and 4–2–3–1.[298] During the latter half of the 2016–17 Premier League season, Wenger switched to a 3–4–3 formation, similar to Antonio Conte's Chelsea first used against Middlesbrough in a 2–1 win.[299]

Wenger proved able to implement his entertaining vision of football, particularly at Arsenal. His team's 5–1 win against Portsmouth in March 2004 was likened to "the magnificently fluid Ajax of the early 70s",[300] and greeted with a standing ovation by the opposition supporters, as the Arsenal players left the field.[301] Wenger's style of play, however, has been criticised for inefficiency and a lack of variation to go with technique.[302][303] He is not renowned for making game-changing substitutions, nor had his tactics helped his teams overcome flexible opponents.[304] His ideals are noticeably different from the pragmatic approach of his rivals, though he has assembled teams to produce disciplined performances, markedly the 2005 FA Cup Final against Manchester United.[305] Defeats in the big games during 2013–14 led to Wenger compromising his attack-minded principles in favour of keeping it tight.[306] The team's approach had been less predictable than when it was built around Fàbregas, with the initial predictability allowing Sir Alex Ferguson to devise a template to beat Arsenal, which involved "good players who can intercept".[307]

Preparation

Wenger in 2015

Wenger led training sessions, but delegated responsibility to his coaching staff, who predominantly work with the players.[308] He split the squad into groups, observing and supervising the drills.[308] A typical training session under Wenger lasted 90 minutes, which was timed and staged precisely, and included co-ordination techniques, positional play and small-sided games.[309] Wenger spent the day before a match focusing on the mental and tactical approach of his squad and varied his training style.[309]

Wenger regarded a well-balanced diet as an essential part of a player's preparation. He was influenced by his time in Japan, where "the whole way of life there is linked to health. Their diet is basically boiled vegetables, fish and rice. No fat, no sugar. You notice when you live there that there are no fat people".

osteopath for the France national team, to realign the players' bodies each month.[112] Plyometrics, exercises designed to strengthen the muscles, were introduced and Wenger routinely made players stretch before and after matches.[311] Until 2004, he encouraged his players to take Creatine for increased stamina, later stopping when he noticed side-effects.[312] The innovations had a desirable effect on the team as it prolonged the careers of his defence,[310] and made Arsenal stronger in the second half of seasons.[313] Though Wenger's methods were common in Italian football, they had been unsuccessfully trialled in England until his arrival.[nb 4]

In later years, Wenger's training regime has come under criticism, given his squad's poor injury record.[315] From 2004–05 to 2014–15, Arsenal's players lost 13,161 days through injury, the most in the Premier League, and significantly more than Chelsea in second (7,217).[315] In 2014, Wenger acquired the help of fitness coach Shad Forsythe to solve the problem; statistics revealed a year later that Arsenal's average injury length dropped more than 25% in Forsythe's first season.[316]

Recruitment and spending policy

Youth development and scouring for talent abroad is central to Wenger's recruitment policy. He relies on a network of scouts and personal contacts to find and attract talented footballers to play under him. Wenger's strategy is aided by data; for instance, the decision to sign Flamini in 2004 came about as he was looking at statistics to find an understudy to Vieira.[317] To examine the mental state of a young footballer, he uses psychometric tests conducted by psychologist Jacques Crevoisier once every two years.[318] Wenger prides himself on nurturing talent, saying in an interview: "I believe one of the best things about managing people is that we can influence lives in a positive way. That's basically what a manager is about. When I can do that, I am very happy".[319]

In his early managerial years, Wenger recognised the potential of football in Africa, which influenced his transfer dealings at Monaco.

African Player of the Year.[323] Wenger also fast-tracked young players such as Petit and Lilian Thuram, and handed debuts to Henry and David Trezeguet.[324]

Lilian Thuram made his debut for Monaco under Wenger.

In England, Wenger has used his extensive knowledge of the European transfer market and rulings – particularly in his native France – to recruit players. His first purchase as Arsenal manager was Anelka from Paris Saint-Germain for £500,000, a deal which upset the French club as they received little remuneration.[325] The player's subsequent sale to Real Madrid just two years later for £23.5 million highlighted Wenger's shrewdness in the transfer market.[326][327] He remained in contact with Guillou's Abidjan-based academy, where he discovered future Arsenal players Touré and Emmanuel Eboué,[328] and successfully persuaded Fàbregas and Héctor Bellerín, amongst other La Masia graduates, to leave Barcelona and join him.[329] Wenger's recruitment of young players came under criticism from Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, who protested it was tantamount to child trafficking.[330] Wenger refuted the analogy and said, "Look at Santa Cruz at Blackburn. Ask him what age he came to Bayern Munich. Then you have an answer for Rummenigge."[330]

When Arsenal moved to the Emirates Stadium, Wenger prioritised investing in youth instead of purchasing experienced players.[331] He described it as a way 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."[332] The departure of Dein, coupled with the saturation of the transfer market, meant Wenger struggled to recruit players as efficiently as before.[333] The youth set-up did not replicate the success of the late 1990s and early 2000s, though Arsenal consistently finished fourth or higher in the league between 2006 and 2011. The club earnt a reputation of functioning as a "feeder club" to bigger teams, as Wenger struggled to keep hold of his best players.[334] He described this period as "very sensitive" because of the financial restrictions that came with the stadium move.[335] Since the 2011–12 season, Wenger has reverted to buying proven talent,[336] and blended experience with youth in domestic cup competitions.[337] Arsenal have benefited from increased revenue since the Emirates move, and negotiating new sponsorship deals has allowed Wenger to make marquee signings such as Özil, Sánchez, Granit Xhaka, Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.[citation needed]

Observing Wenger's transfer policy in 2009, Sir Alex Ferguson commented that it lacked balance and needed defensive players to solidify the Arsenal team.[338] The players Wenger recruits have often been criticised for their character and leadership capabilities; footballer Joey Barton suggested it was because the manager discouraged them from commanding: "Sometimes you need someone to galvanise and that might be a shouter and bawler. It may not be Arsene's way, but I think they lack that."[339] Wenger is perceived as frugal given his inactivity in transfer windows, but he has denied the stereotype: "Of course people say always to buy but you cannot make careers [and you cannot] buy every time you have an injured player. You know I have the wrong reputation. I'm not scared to spend money. The job of a manager is not to spend as much money."[340][clarification needed]

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 reluctance to trust other managers had been mistaken for discourtesy: "There are managers I respect, and I respect what they do, but you cannot be completely friendly and open up."[188] He is well known for his rivalry with former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson;[341] beginning in 1997, the dispute reached its culmination in the "Pizzagate" incident at Old Trafford in October 2004.[342] After Manchester United ended Arsenal's 49-game unbeaten Premier League run after being awarded a late penalty, Cesc Fabregas threw a pizza at the opposition in the tunnel.[343][344] Wenger accused United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy of being "a cheat" in a post-match television interview, and was reprimanded with a £15,000 fine by the Football Association.[345] Both managers later agreed to tone down their words, in an attempt to defuse the rivalry.[346] In his autobiography, Ferguson wrote that the events of "Pizzagate" had "scrambled Arsène's brain" and caused their relationship to break down for almost five years.[347] By 2009, Wenger noted his rivalry with Ferguson had become "respectful" as Arsenal had ceased competing with Manchester United for major honours.[188]

Wenger and Mourinho during a match between their teams in 2014

During October and November 2005, Wenger became embroiled in a war of words with Chelsea manager José Mourinho. Mourinho accused Wenger of having an "unprofessional obsession" with Chelsea and labelled him a "voyeur."[348][349] Mourinho was quoted as saying, "He's worried about us, he's always talking about us – it's [always] Chelsea".[349] Wenger responded by pointing out he was only answering journalists' questions about Chelsea, and described Mourinho's attitude as "disrespectful".[350] Mourinho later apologised and clarified that he regretted his "voyeur" comment; Wenger accepted the apology.[351] In 2014, Mourinho reopened his feud with Wenger by calling him a "specialist in failure".[352] This was in response to Wenger's comments that Chelsea were favourites for the Premier League and managers did not want to take responsibility if they failed to win the title.[352] Wenger said Mourinho's comments were "silly and disrespectful" and had embarrassed Chelsea.[353] When asked if he regretted his remark, Mourinho replied: "You have to ask him if he regrets the comments he made".[354] In October 2014, during a Premier League match between Arsenal and Chelsea, Wenger was involved in a touchline spat with Mourinho.[355] Wenger later apologised for his behaviour.[356]

Wenger has directed his anger towards referees when decisions have not gone his team's way. 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.[357] An FA disciplinary commission found Wenger guilty; he received a 12-match touchline ban and a fine of four weeks' salary.[358] He successfully appealed the ban, but was reprimanded and fined £10,000 for his actions.[359] Following the 2007 Football League Cup Final, he called a linesman a liar, for stating Emmanuel Adebayor aimed a punch at Chelsea's Frank Lampard.[360] This led to an investigation by the FA, a fine of £2,500 and a warning.[361]

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.[362] He was fined €10,000 and suspended for one UEFA club competition match; however, the ban was later extended to a further two games, after Wenger was found guilty of communicating with Arsenal's bench while serving a touchline ban against Udinese.[363][364] A year later, Wenger was charged for post-match comments made about referee Damir Skomina, in Arsenal's defeat to Milan in the Champions League.[365] He was fined £33,000 and handed a three-match touchline ban in the competition.[365]

Plaudits and legacy

Arsenal supporters hold up cards that spell out "In Arsène we trust"

At Arsenal, Wenger has enjoyed a great deal of support and backing from the club board of directors, who demonstrated exceptional faith in the manager and his long-term vision.[366] His arrival at the club prompted a change in their football style – once derided as "boring, boring Arsenal" for a lack of creativity,[367] pundit Alan Hansen described the 2004 team as "quite simply the most fluid, devastating team the British Isles has seen".[368] Brian Clough once quipped: "Arsenal caress a football the way I dreamed of caressing Marilyn Monroe".[193] Wenger himself reflected that his greatest legacy at Arsenal would be the style he implemented.[369] Supporters regularly display banners such as "Arsène knows" and "In Arsène we trust" during home matches, though there became a growing number of protests against his management.[370]

External audio
audio icon "Arsène Wenger – Profile"
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2011

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".[371] Former Watford manager Graham Taylor said of Wenger in 2002: "I believe his biggest contribution to football is getting across the idea that players have to prepare right and look after themselves".[372] Wenger's loyalty towards financial fair play and handling of Arsenal's debt since their stadium move has earnt him praise, not least from American baseball general manager Billy Beane, who in particular lauded his transfer strategy.[373] A survey in 2007 found Wenger was the only Premier League manager to have made a profit on transfers,[374] and between 2004 and 2009, he made an average profit of £4.4 million per season on transfers, far more than any other club.[375]

Bust of Wenger at the Emirates Stadium

Though Wenger established Arsenal as UEFA Champions League regulars, he never won a continental competition – he was a Champions League and UEFA Cup runner-up with Arsenal and a Cup Winners' Cup runner-up with Monaco – often considered a blemish on his managerial career.[376] Writer Michael Calvin argues despite the European failings, Wenger should still be considered one of the greats in football: "[He] has been the best, most influential manager of the modern era. His job has involved managing change, and all the hypocrisy which comes with that. In a world where incoherence is routinely hailed as innovation, he has been a true visionary".[377] Wenger's stubbornness to follow his idealistic vision of football was heavily criticised during his second decade at Arsenal. In 2016, Henry Winter reasoned the Frenchman's methods no longer gave him an advantage over others, and he needed to adapt or resign.[378] Winter also suggested the club was content with lucrative top-four finishes, and the manager needed tough individuals to challenge him.[378] Ferguson however expressed admiration in Wenger's consistency and obstinate nature: "He stays with what he believes in. And I think people who do that are outstanding coaches".[379]

Wenger was awarded France's highest decoration, the

33179 Arsènewenger, named after him by astronomer Ian P. Griffin, who states Arsenal as his favourite football club.[385][386]

In May 2016, the Stade Arsène Wenger was officially opened near Strasbourg, where Wenger was born. The stadium is the new home of USL Dippinheim and holds a capacity of 500 people.[387] In July 2023, Arsenal unveiled an official statue of Wenger holding the “Invincible” Premier League trophy outside the Emirates Stadium, joining the likes of Dennis Bergkamp, Tony Adams, and Herbert Chapman to be commemorated in such a way outside the stadium [388]

Increase in worldwide players

Wenger was one of the first managers in English football to scout abroad for talent. His double-winning team of 1998 was described by editor Jason Cowley as "a model of racial and multicultural integration. They were the first truly globalised team".[389] Richard Jolly writing for The National added that Wenger aided the Premier League's globalisation and "showed the merit of hiring foreign managers on the basis of their record abroad".[390] Wenger himself felt he had changed attitudes towards foreign managers in England:

There was a history and belief in England that the foreign manager could not be successful. Now you have a different feeling, now you think only foreign managers can be successful. That is wrong as well. I believe I contributed to the change in attitude about foreign managers. That can look pretentious but I don't think it is at all. I can show some articles where people tried to prove that the foreign managers can never win an English championship. That has changed and I have certainly contributed to that. But I am also one of the few who also defends English managers.[391]

Fan holding an Arsenal shirt bearing the text "Arsène Wenger Thank You" at the match between Belgium and England at the 2018 FIFA World Cup

The continued influx of foreign players at Arsenal has, however, attracted criticism. 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 Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) chief executive Gordon Taylor to express it would begin "a worrying pattern for English football".[392] A year later, manager Alan Pardew commented that Arsenal's Champions League success was "not necessarily a triumph for British football".[393] Wenger saw the issue of nationality as irrelevant and said, "When you represent a club, it's about values and qualities, not about passports".[394] Other pundits including Trevor Brooking, the director of football development at the FA, 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 on England's limited talent pool rather than on Wenger, an opinion shared by youth-team coach and former Liverpool player Craig Johnston.[395][396]

Several English players have started their careers at Arsenal under Wenger, such as Ashley Cole, David Bentley and Matthew Upson,[397] Wenger commented that an advantage of building his team around British players was the guarantee of stability.[398]

Team indiscipline and fair play

In his early years at Arsenal, Wenger was scrutinised for the club's poor disciplinary record; Winter in 2003 described it as "little short of a crime-wave",

red cards. Wenger 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 he resorts to when there is no "rational explanation" to defend him, and that he has the player's best interests in mind.[401][402] However, in both 2004 and 2005, Arsenal topped the Premier League's Fair Play League tables for sporting behaviour and finished second in 2006.[403][404][405] Their record as one of the most sporting clubs in the division continued up to 2009, where the team featured in the top four of the Fair Play table.[406][407] Wenger's team again topped the fair play table for the 2009–10 season.[408]

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.[409] The decisive goal was scored by Overmars after Kanu failed to return the ball to the opposition; it was kicked into touch to allow Sheffield United's Lee Morris to receive treatment for an injury.[410] Arsenal went on to win the replayed match 2–1.[411]

Personal life

Wenger was married to former basketball player Annie Brosterhous, with whom he has one daughter, Léa (born 1997). Wenger and Brosterhous legally separated in 2015.

Castrol Performance Index, FIFA's official ratings system.[417]

He has authored a book on football management exclusively for the Japanese market, Shōsha no Esupuri (勝者のエスプリ, lit. The Spirit of Conquest) in English, published by Japan Broadcast Publishing (a subsidiary of NHK) in August 1997.[418] The book highlights his managerial philosophy, ideals, and values, as well as his thoughts on Japanese football and the game as a whole.[6]

Wenger is a Roman Catholic, and he attributes his outlook and values to his religious upbringing in Alsace.[419][272] He grew up speaking French and German, and studied English on a three-week course in Cambridge, learning Italian, and Spanish to help his career.[420][272] He also has a working knowledge of Japanese.[421]

In 2010, Wenger appealed for privacy after a British newspaper alleged he had an affair with a French singer. Wenger said in a statement that he wished to deal with the matter privately.[422]

On 13 October 2020, Wenger's second book, My Life in Red & White: My Autobiography, was published by W&N, translated from French.

Career statistics

Playing statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition[423][424]
Club Season League National Cup Europe Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Mutzig 1969–70 CFA
1970–71 CFA
1971–72 Division 3
1972–73 Division 3 3 1 3 1
Total 3 1 3 1
Mulhouse 1973–74 Division 2 25 2 25 2
1974–75 Division 2 31 2 31 2
Total 56 4 56 4
ASPV Strasbourg
1975–76 Promotion d'Honneur 3 1 3 1
1976–77 Division d'Honneur 5 0 5 0
1977–78 Division 3
Total 8 1 8 1
RC Strasbourg 1978–79 Division 1 2 0 1[a] 0 3 0
1979–80 Division 1 1 0 1 0
1980–81 Division 1 8 0 1 0 9 0
Total 11 0 1 0 1 0 13 0
Career total 67 4 12 2 1 0 80 6
  1. UEFA Cup

Managerial statistics

As of 13 May 2018[423][425]
Managerial record by team and tenure
Team From To Record
P W D[nb 5] L Win %
Nancy
1 July 1984 1 July 1987 114 33 30 51 028.9
Monaco 1 July 1987 17 September 1994 266 130 53 83 048.9
Nagoya Grampus Eight[427]
1 February 1995 30 September 1996 87 49 4 34 056.3
Arsenal 1 October 1996 13 May 2018 1,235 707 280 248 057.2
Total 1,702 919 367 416 054.0

Honours

Player

Mutzig[20][21]

  • Coupe d'Alsace: 1971

Vauban[21]

  • Coupe d'Alsace: 1977
  • Division d'Honneur
    Alsace: 1977

RC Strasbourg[428]

Manager

The Premier League commissioned a unique gold trophy to commemorate Arsenal's achievement of winning the 2003–04 league unbeaten. Wenger was given the trophy as a parting gift from the club after his last home game as manager on 6 May 2018.[429]

Monaco

Nagoya Grampus

Arsenal

Individual

Orders

See also

Notes

  1. ^ The academic degree awarded to Wenger is ambiguous. Several publications, such as The Independent and The Economist have commented that he completed a master's degree (maîtrise) in economics (sciences économiques).[24][25] Others, such as French magazine FF Sport U imply that Wenger was awarded a Licence.[26] The Sunday Mirror state that he holds an additional degree in electrical engineering, but no such information is given on his Arsenal profile or shared in publicised interviews.[27] Wenger is also said to have spent a six-month placement at Stanford University, according to the Evening Standard, who interviewed his parents.[11]
  2. ^ It is a common misconception that the Evening Standard greeted Wenger's appointment with the headline "Arsène Who?", when in actual fact it was printed on its billboard. The newspaper instead ran a piece that explained how to pronounce his name.[104]
  3. ^ Wenger reiterated his belief that Arsenal could go unbeaten in September 2002, telling reporters: "It's not impossible as AC Milan once did it but I can't see why it's so shocking to say it. Do you think Manchester United, Liverpool or Chelsea don't dream that as well?"[172]
  4. ^ Graeme Souness, for instance in the early 1990s, changed the players' eating habits at Liverpool, introduced new training methods and monitored their lifestyles.[314] Some of the senior players were unreceptive to his ideas at first; Ian Rush retorted "But we won the double on egg and chips," when told about the new menu.[314] Souness' time at Liverpool was brief compared to his predecessors, lasting under three years.
  5. ^ At the time of Wenger's tenure in Japan, the result of a J-League match could not be a draw. In the event of scores being level at the end of 90 minutes, matches would be decided by extra time and penalties.[426]

References

  1. ^ "Wenger - Footballer". Retrieved 1 January 2023.
  2. ^ a b "Décret du 12 juillet 2002 portant promotion et nomination" [Decree of 12 July 2002 on promotion and appointment]. Journal Officiel de la République Française (in French). 2002 (163): 12078. 14 July 2002. PREX0205724D. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  3. ^ Rees (2014), p. 11.
  4. ^ a b Palmer (2008), p. 9.
  5. ^ a b c Slot, Owen (9 August 2004). "Wenger emerges from cruel past". The Times. Retrieved 11 December 2012. (subscription required)
  6. ^ a b c d e Rees, Jasper (18 August 2003). "Inside the mind of Arsene Wenger (excerpt from Wenger: The Making of a Legend by Jasper Rees)". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 5 May 2008.
  7. ^ Guardian Staff (11 October 2020). "Arsène Wenger: 'I try to read everything that helps me understand human beings'". The Guardian. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
  8. ^ Long (2005), p. 210.
  9. ^ Rees (2014), p. 12.
  10. ^ Rees (2014), p. 13.
  11. ^ a b Bond, David (15 May 1998). "Voila votre vie!; How a postcard led to a beautiful friendship". London Evening Standard. p. 71.
  12. ^ Palmer (2008), pp. 9–10.
  13. ^ Palmer (2008), p. 10.
  14. ^ Rees (2014), pp. 13–4.
  15. ^ a b Rees (2014), p. 14.
  16. ^ a b Rees (2014), pp. 15–6.
  17. ^ a b c Rivoire (2011), p. 18.
  18. ^ Rees (2014), p. 15.
  19. ^ Rees (2014), p. 17.
  20. ^ a b "Historique". AS Mutzig.fr. (in French). Archived from the original on 28 August 2018. Retrieved 7 November 2017.
  21. ^ a b c d "Arsene Wenger". Racing Stub.com (in French). 22 October 1949.
  22. ^ a b Rees (2014), p. 21.
  23. ^ Rivoire (2011), p. 19.
  24. ^ Nevin, Charles (13 March 2010). "Arsene Wenger: 'Am I too intelligent to be a football manager? You can never be intelligent enough'". The Independent. London. Retrieved 15 May 2012.
  25. ^ "Game for geeks". The Economist. 13 August 2009. Retrieved 18 May 2012.
  26. ^ "Sport U Magazine" (PDF). FF Sport U (97): 4–5. April 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 August 2012. Retrieved 18 May 2012.
  27. ^ Hepburn, Ray (23 August 2009). "Mowbray would love to emulate Wenger but he's racing a Porsche in a Mini". Sunday Mirror. London. Retrieved 15 May 2012. (subscription required)
  28. ^ Mariadass, Tony (19 May 1999). "Just be there!". The Malay Mail. Kuala Lumpur. Archived from the original on 10 June 2014. Retrieved 15 May 2012. (subscription required)
  29. ^ Rivoire (2011), p. 20.
  30. ^ Oldfield (2010), p. 10.
  31. ^ Rees (2014), pp. 24–5.
  32. ^ a b c d Rees (2014), p. 26.
  33. ^ Rees (2014), pp. 26–7.
  34. ^ a b c d Rees (2014), p. 28.
  35. ^ Rivoire (2011), p. 24.
  36. ^ Rees (2014), p. 30.
  37. ^ Rivoire (2011), p. 26.
  38. ^ Oldfield (2010), p. 13.
  39. ^ Palmer (2008), p. 11.
  40. ^ Rees (2014), pp. 33–4.
  41. ^ Rivoire (2011), p. 27.
  42. ^ "Profile: Arsene Wenger". BBC Sport. 30 April 2002. Retrieved 15 July 2014.
  43. ^ Oldfield (2010), p. 14.
  44. ^ Oldfield (2010), pp. 14–5.
  45. ^ a b Rees (2014), p. 40.
  46. ^ Oldfield (2010), p. 15.
  47. ^ a b Palmer (2008), p. 12.
  48. ^ a b c d Oldfield (2010), p. 16.
  49. ^ a b c Rees (2014), p. 46.
  50. ^ Rees (2014), p. 47.
  51. ^ Rees (2014), p. 48.
  52. ^ Rees (2014), p. 49.
  53. ^ a b Oldfield (2010), p. 17.
  54. ^ a b Rees (2014), p. 50.
  55. ^ "Aberdeen's Eric Black on moving to Metz and how that night in Paris was as good as Gothenburg". Football Scotland. 16 April 2019. Retrieved 17 August 2020.
  56. ^ a b Rivoire (2011), pp. 35–6.
  57. .
  58. ^ "Saison 1987/1988 Ligue 1". Ligue 1. Retrieved 18 July 2012.
  59. ^ "Saison 1988/1989 Ligue 1". Ligue 1. Retrieved 18 July 2012.
  60. ^ .
  61. ^ "Saison 1989/1990 Ligue 1". Ligue 1. Retrieved 20 August 2012.
  62. ^ "Ramón Diaz". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 20 August 2012.
  63. ^ Fletcher, Paul (14 August 2007). "Arsenal's European frustration". BBC Sport. Retrieved 5 May 2012.
  64. ^ "Saison 1992/1993 Ligue 1". Ligue 1. Retrieved 18 July 2012.
  65. ^ "Saison 1993/1994 Ligue 1". Ligue 1. Retrieved 18 July 2012.
  66. ^ Carter, Jon (29 March 2012). "Milan down the Dream Team". ESPNSoccernet. Archived from the original on 20 October 2018. Retrieved 16 December 2012.
  67. .
  68. ^ "Arsène Wenger n'entraîne plus l'AS Monaco". Le Monde (in French). Paris. 18 September 1994. Archived from the original on 3 August 2012. Retrieved 3 February 2012.
  69. .
  70. ^ a b c d Rivoire (2011), p. 61.
  71. ^ Rivoire (2011), pp. 61–2.
  72. ^ Rivoire (2011), p. 62.
  73. ^ a b Oldfield (2010), p. 21.
  74. ^ Veysey, Wayne (20 February 2007). "The Invisible Man in Arsenal's Team". London Evening Standard. Retrieved 13 June 2016. (subscription required)
  75. ^ a b Rivoire (2011), p. 64.
  76. ^ a b Rees (2014), p. 82.
  77. ^ a b Rivoire (2011), p. 65.
  78. ^ Hecht, Ernest (10 June 2002). "Lingua franca". New Statesman. Retrieved 15 June 2016.
  79. ^ Oldfield (2010), p. 22.
  80. ^ Rees (2014), pp. 79–80.
  81. ^ a b Rees (2014), p. 83.
  82. ^ Marantz, Ken (12 December 1995). "Stojkovic J-League's MVP". The Daily Yomiuri. Tokyo. p. 18.
  83. ^ a b Rivoire (2011), p. 70.
  84. ^ a b Rivoire (2011), p. 75.
  85. ^ Ornstein, David (21 March 2014). "Arsene Wenger: Arsenal boss's appointment was destiny – Dein". BBC Sport. Retrieved 14 June 2016.
  86. ^ a b Rivoire (2011), p. 77.
  87. ^ a b Rees (2014), p. 88.
  88. ^ Duerden, John (5 November 2010). "Stojkovic doing things the Wenger way". ESPN FC. Retrieved 20 November 2010.
  89. ^ Rees (2014), p. 76.
  90. ^ Dillon, John (9 November 1997). "Wenger: It's so hard to hide my feelings". The People. London. Retrieved 30 June 2012.
  91. ^ Palmer (2008), p. 22.
  92. ^ Rivoire (2011), p. 71.
  93. ^ Sato, Shigemi (25 July 2013). "Wenger's time with Nagoya still resonates". The Japan Times. Tokyo. Retrieved 14 June 2016.
  94. ^ a b Thorpe, Martin (13 August 1996). "Arsenal ditch Rioch and look abroad". The Guardian. London. p. 22.
  95. ^ Haylett, Trevor (14 September 1996). "Red faces as Houston walks out". The Independent. London. p. 28.
  96. ^ Hughes, Rob (14 September 1996). "Cruyff appears Arsenal's likely target". The Times. p. 48.
  97. ^ Fox, Nicholas (14 September 1996). "Why Rioch had to go – The inside story of a coup at Arsenal". The Sunday Times. p. S8.
  98. ^ Kempson, Russell (21 August 1996). "Arsenal wait on arrival of new manager". The Times. p. 41.
  99. ^ Walters, Mike (25 September 1996). "Don't stitch me up!". The Mirror. London. Retrieved 15 December 2012.
  100. ^ "Wenger finally moves in at Highbury". The Times. 23 September 1996. p. 28.
  101. ^ Clarke, Richard (28 September 2006). "Wenger 1996 to 2006: The French evolutionary". Arsenal F.C. Retrieved 14 December 2015.
  102. ^ "Wenger arrives at last". The Independent. London. 23 September 1996. p. 45.
  103. ^ Wilson, Jeremy (1 October 2009). "Arsenal players hail Arsène Wenger as he becomes club's longest-serving manager". The Daily Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 11 January 2022. Retrieved 2 February 2012.
  104. ^ Cross (2015), p. 16.
  105. ^ Metcalf, Rupert (4 January 1997). "Wilkinson waits for job offer from FA". The Independent. London. Retrieved 4 January 2011.
  106. ^ Moore, Glenn (24 September 1996). "A graduate of the global game". The Independent. London. Retrieved 15 December 2015.
  107. ^ Rivoire (2011), p. 80.
  108. ^ Rivoire (2011), p. 82.
  109. ^ Palmer (2008), pp. 45–9.
  110. ^ Ryan, Ray (29 September 1996). "Wenger's booze ban!". News of the World. London. p. 80.
  111. ^ "Wenger imposes drink ban". BBC Sport. 8 March 2004. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
  112. ^ a b c Palmer (2008), p. 46.
  113. ^ Culley, Jon (13 October 1996). "Wenger begins on Wright lines". The Independent on Sunday. London. Retrieved 1 January 2011.
  114. ^ Whyte, Derrick (25 September 1996). "Arsenal's dreams are ended by Juskowiak". The Independent. London. Retrieved 26 January 2012.
  115. ^ Rivoire (2011), p. 84.
  116. ^ Rivoire (2011), pp. 84–5.
  117. ^ Rivoire (2011), pp. 85–7.
  118. ^ Rivoire (2011), p. 87.
  119. ^ a b "Wenger quick to deny rumours". The Independent. London. 8 November 1996. Retrieved 31 December 2015.
  120. ^ Cross (2015), pp. 34.
  121. ^ "Wenger wronged". Daily Mirror. London. 15 November 1996. Retrieved 31 December 2015.
  122. ^ Lacey, David (24 February 1997). "Jones keeps Wimbledon on course". The Guardian. London. p. 24. 'Yes, for the title of course,' he replied when asked if the result had ended the team's interest in the Premiership, 'but for Europe, no.'
  123. ^ Stewart, Colin (12 May 1997). "Newcastle's firepower wins place in Champions League". The Scotsman. Edinburgh. p. 24.
  124. ^ Cross (2015), p. 35.
  125. ^ a b Wilson, Jeremy (12 December 2013). "Ray Parlour: the English lads were drinking, the French smoking and Arsenal still won the Double". The Daily Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 11 January 2022. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
  126. ^ Thorpe, Martin (15 February 1997). "West Ham dig deep to tempt Hartson away". The Guardian. London. p. A10.
  127. ^ Sowden, Patrick (28 February 1997). "The French revolution". The Guardian. London. p. B6.
  128. ^ a b Oldfield (2010), p. 39.
  129. ^ a b Palmer (2008), p. 67.
  130. ^ Oldfield (2010), pp. 39–40.
  131. ^ Lawrenson, Mark (10 November 1997). "Platt puts new life into chase for title". Daily Mirror. London. Retrieved 10 January 2016.
  132. ^ "Arsenal results for the 1997–98 season". Statto Organisation. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 10 January 2016.
  133. ^ Dickinson, Matt (22 December 1997). "Wimbledon v Arsenal". The Times. p. 29.
  134. ^ Thorpe, Martin (15 December 1997). "Arsenal fade into a Wright red mist". The Guardian. London. p. 23.
  135. ^ Cross (2015), p. 44.
  136. ^ Palmer (2008), p. 97.
  137. ^ Millar, Steve (12 March 1998). "You've Done your money backing Arsenal for title". Daily Mirror. London. p. 55.
  138. ^ Malin, Ian (12 March 1998). "Wreh of hope for Gunners as gap closes". The Guardian. London. p. 30.
  139. ^ Kempson, Russell (13 March 1998). "Arsenal back in title business". The Times. p. 49.
  140. ^ Cross (2015), p. 45.
  141. ^ "Overmars keeps title race alive". BBC News. 14 March 1998. Retrieved 31 December 2015.
  142. ^ Palmer (2008), pp. 114–21.
  143. ^ Holt, Oliver (18 May 1998). "Overmars provides the driving force". The Times. p. 31.
  144. ^ Palmer (2008), p. 129.
  145. ^ Palmer (2008), p. 140.
  146. ^ Palmer (2008), pp. 131–46.
  147. ^ Palmer (2008), p. 147.
  148. ^ Moore, Glenn (17 May 1999). "Football: Cole brings United fifth title". The Independent. London. Retrieved 1 January 2011.
  149. ^ Palmer (2008), p. 156.
  150. ^ "Anelka: The story so far ..." BBC News. 2 August 1999. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
  151. ^ "Happy Wenger enjoying his role in control". The Independent. London. 30 September 1997. Retrieved 22 November 2013.
  152. ^ Guardian Staff (2 August 1999). "Arsenal sign £3.5m Suker". The Guardian. Retrieved 5 March 2022.
  153. ^ "BBC News | Football | Henry joins Arsenal in record deal". news.bbc.co.uk. 3 August 1999. Retrieved 5 March 2022.
  154. ^ Walker, Michael (6 April 2006). "Gunners see a new dawn while Juventus fade to grey". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 10 January 2016.
  155. ^ Harris, Chris (27 November 2009). "Wenger – I didn't want to sell Nicolas Anelka". Arsenal F.C. Retrieved 20 December 2015.
  156. ^ Lacey, David (28 October 1999). "Batistuta blasts the Gunners out". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
  157. ^ Cross (2015), p. 53.
  158. ^ Cross (2015), pp. 53–6.
  159. ^ Dickinson, Matt (14 May 2001). "Wenger's trust again betrayed by Arsenal's lack of killer instinct". The Times. p. S7.
  160. ^ "Wenger targets fresh blood". BBC Sport. 13 May 2001. Retrieved 20 December 2015.
  161. ^ Cross (2015), p. 59.
  162. ^ Palmer (2008), p. 262.
  163. ^ Hughes, Ian (13 August 2001). "Gio could be key to Arsenal glory". BBC Sport. Retrieved 31 December 2015.
  164. ^ Palmer (2008), p. 262–3.
  165. ^ Ingle, Sean (13 August 2001). "Arsenal". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 28 August 2012.
  166. ^ a b "Arsenal clinch Double". BBC Sport. 8 May 2002. Retrieved 1 January 2011.
  167. ^ "GGM 06: Wiltord goal clinches the Double". Arsenal F.C. 5 August 2007. Retrieved 28 August 2012.
  168. ^ "History of the Premier League". Premier League. Archived from the original on 9 July 2015. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
  169. ^ "Arsenal – 2001–02". Statto Organisation. Archived from the original on 9 July 2013. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
  170. ^ Oldfield (2010), p. 105.
  171. ^ "The best of the season". The Observer. London. 18 May 2003. Retrieved 3 January 2016.
  172. ^ "Arsenal can go unbeaten all season, says Wenger". CNNSI.com. Associated Press. 20 September 2002. Archived from the original on 4 October 2013. Retrieved 3 January 2016.
  173. ^ Walker, Michael (19 August 2002). "Champions pick up where they left off". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 24 December 2015.
  174. ^ Fletcher, Paul (6 October 2002). "Record-breaking Arsenal". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
  175. ^ Taylor, Daniel (1 March 2007). "Furious Wenger accuses cup final linesman of telling lies". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
  176. ^ a b Fletcher, Paul (4 May 2003). "Ten weeks that turned the title". BBC Sport. Retrieved 22 June 2012.
  177. ^ McNulty, Phil (28 April 2003). "Alarm bells sound for Wenger". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 December 2015.
  178. ^ Burt, Jason (18 May 2003). "Football: Arsenal's Cup in safe hands". The Independent. London. Archived from the original on 25 January 2013. Retrieved 12 July 2012. (subscription required)
  179. ^ a b Lawrence (2014), p. 6.
  180. ^ Lawrence (2014), pp. 6–7.
  181. ^ "Wenger says sorry". BBC Sport. 26 September 2003. Retrieved 31 December 2015.
  182. ^ Winter, Henry (27 September 2003). "Henry leads the resistance". The Daily Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 11 January 2022. Retrieved 24 December 2015.
  183. ^ Mitchell, Kevin (16 May 2004). "Unbeaten Arsenal in football heaven". The Observer. London. Retrieved 22 June 2012.
  184. ^ "Wenger has last laugh on victory parade". The Scotsman. Edinburgh. 17 May 2004. Retrieved 31 December 2015.
  185. ^ "Man Utd 2–0 Arsenal". BBC Sport. 24 October 2004. Retrieved 1 January 2011.
  186. ^ "Arsenal Annual Report 2004/2005" (PDF). Arsenal F.C. 2005. Retrieved 19 July 2012.
  187. ^ "Arsenal 0–0 Man Utd (aet) – Arsenal win 5–4 on penalties". BBC Sport. 21 May 2005. Retrieved 1 January 2011.
  188. ^ a b c d "Arsene Wenger interview: the full transcript of Matthew Syed's interview". 3 August 2023 – via www.thetimes.co.uk.
  189. ^ Lawrence, Amy (23 October 2005). "Wenger at the crossroads". The Observer. Edinburgh. Retrieved 31 December 2015.
  190. ^ Cass, Bob (15 May 2006). "Football: Wenger wants more than Euro glory". Birmingham Evening Mail. p. 58.
  191. ^ Fletcher, Paul (26 April 2006). "Why Arsenal came good in Europe". BBC Sport. Retrieved 10 January 2006.
  192. ^ "Barcelona 2–1 Arsenal". BBC Sport. 17 May 2006. Retrieved 4 January 2011.
  193. ^ a b "Why Arsène Wenger is one of the greats". UEFA. 20 April 2020. Retrieved 15 August 2021.
  194. ^ Palmer (2008), p. 374.
  195. ^ Adderley, Nigel (15 August 2005). "Wenger feels new stadium is vital". BBC Sport. Retrieved 15 May 2012.
  196. ^ Fynn, Alex; Whitcher, Kevin (31 August 2008). "Young guns". The Observer. London. Retrieved 3 January 2016.
  197. ^ Palmer (2008), pp. 374–6.
  198. ^ Duncan, Colin (26 February 2007). "Black and blue". Daily Record. Glasgow. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
  199. ^ Hytner, David (20 December 2007). "The night Wenger decided to let his young stars shine". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 17 December 2012.
  200. ^ Wilson, Jeremy (14 May 2007). "Fingers point at Poll as European dream dies". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
  201. ^ James, Stuart (27 November 2006). "Arsenal lack maturity to be champions, says Wenger". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 29 December 2015.
  202. ^ "Wenger: Change would be "suicidal"". Eurosport. 3 November 2006. Retrieved 10 January 2016.
  203. ^ Taylor, Daniel (28 August 2006). "Barton puts spoke in the wheels of Arsenal's over-polished caravan". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 29 December 2015.
  204. ^ "Vice-chairman Dein leaves Arsenal". BBC Sport. 18 April 2007. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
  205. ^ Kelso, Paul (20 April 2007). "Wenger demands answers from Arsenal after departure of Dein". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
  206. ^ Wilson, Jeremy (23 June 2007). "Wenger stands at crossroads as allies depart". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 2 January 2016.
  207. ^ "Wenger agrees new deal at Arsenal". BBC Sport. 7 September 2007. Retrieved 1 January 2010.
  208. ^ "Ian Wright Puts Fan Questions To Arsène Wenger | FAQs| SPORTbible" – LADbible TV, YouTube, 19 November 2021
  209. ^ Palmer (2008), p. 384.
  210. ^ Wilson, Jonathan (19 September 2007). "Arsenal: the new Ajax?". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 3 January 2016.
  211. ^ Aikman, Richard (9 December 2007). "Bullish Boro end Arsenal's unbeaten run". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 January 2016.
  212. ^ a b McKenzie, Andrew (12 May 2008). "How the title was won". BBC Sport. Retrieved 11 February 2012.
  213. ^ Williams, Richard (22 August 2011). "Arsène Wenger knows but Arsenal are in an almighty mess". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
  214. ^ Morgan, Richard (23 February 2008). "Wenger retracts Martin Taylor comments". The Daily Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 11 January 2022. Retrieved 4 January 2011.
  215. ^ Fifield, Dominic (25 November 2008). "Fábregas made Arsenal captain as Wenger tries to heal rift". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 16 December 2012.
  216. ^ Clarke, Richard (2 June 2009). "Season Review: Our verdict on 2008–09". Arsenal F.C. Retrieved 10 January 2016.
  217. ^ Hytner, David (16 May 2009). "Negative Arsenal fans make me feel like a murderer, says Arsène Wenger". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 2 February 2012.
  218. ^ Wilson, Jeremy (10 May 2010). "Arsenal Premier League season review 2009–10". The Daily Telegraph. London. Retrieved 14 December 2012.
  219. ^ "Arsène Wenger hails Barcelona's Lionel Messi after four-goal display". The Guardian. London. 7 April 2010. Retrieved 2 February 2012.
  220. ^ "Wenger is Arsenal's longest-serving manager". Arsenal F.C. 30 September 2009. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
  221. ^ "Arsène Wenger signs contract extension". Arsenal F.C. 14 August 2010. Retrieved 15 August 2010.
  222. ^ McNulty, Phil (27 February 2011). "Arsenal 1–2 Birmingham". BBC Sport. Retrieved 29 August 2011.
  223. ^ "Arsenal – 2010–11". Statto Organisation. Archived from the original on 26 March 2012. Retrieved 20 April 2012.
  224. ^ McNulty, Phil (12 March 2011). "What now for Wenger & Arsenal?". BBC Sport. Retrieved 31 December 2015.
  225. ^ a b Lacey, David (2 September 2011). "Arsène Wenger should have considered Arsenal's past before panic-buying". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 11 February 2012.
  226. ^ Longman, Jeré (14 September 2011). "The worst of times after years of success". The New York Times. Retrieved 16 December 2012.
  227. ^ Shearer, Alan (9 September 2011). "Alan Shearer on why Arsenal's problems are not over yet". BBC Sport. Retrieved 31 December 2015.
  228. ^ Gibson, Owen (6 October 2011). "Arsenal say they would cope without Champions League football". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 12 August 2012.
  229. ^ Winter, Henry (31 October 2011). "Robin van Persie's brilliant hat-trick pushes Arsenal to within sight of Chelsea". The Daily Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 11 January 2022. Retrieved 31 December 2015.
  230. ^ Ronay, Barney (13 May 2012). "Arsenal secure Champions League place with victory at West Brom". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 15 May 2012.
  231. ^ Jackson, Jamie (20 July 2012). "Robin van Persie plus Wayne Rooney – dream combo or just too similar?". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 16 August 2012.
  232. ^ Cross (2015), pp. 124–5.
  233. ^ "Robin van Persie: Arsene Wenger says Arsenal had to sell striker". BBC Sport. 16 August 2012. Retrieved 23 August 2012.
  234. ^ a b Kay, Oliver (3 September 2012). "Bould moves to offer security at back pay off". The Times. Retrieved 10 January 2016.
  235. ^ "Arsenal still in title race, insists Arsene Wenger". The Daily Telegraph. London. 30 November 2012. Archived from the original on 11 January 2022. Retrieved 10 January 2016.
  236. ^ Cross (2015), pp. 154–5.
  237. ^ "FA Cup: Arsene Wenger says Arsenal's season is not over". BBC Sport. 16 February 2013. Retrieved 2 January 2016.
  238. ^ "Full transcript: Arsène Wenger's confrontational clash with journalists ahead of Bayern Munich match". The Daily Telegraph. London. 18 February 2013. Archived from the original on 11 January 2022. Retrieved 2 January 2016.
  239. ^ a b "Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger concedes top-four setback". BBC Sport. 3 March 2013. Retrieved 2 January 2016.
  240. ^ a b Pitt-Brooke, Jack (20 May 2013). "Why Arsène Wenger must spend to put icing on the cake and buy likes of Stevan Jovetic for Arsenal". The Independent. London. Retrieved 10 January 2016.
  241. ^ Johnston, Neil (13 March 2013). "Bayern Munich 0–2 Arsenal". BBC Sport. Retrieved 10 January 2016.
  242. ^ "Newcastle 0–1 Arsenal: Wenger relieved to seal top-four finish". BBC Sport. 19 May 2013. Retrieved 10 January 2016.
  243. ^ a b "Wenger apologises to Arsenal fans". BBC Sport. 17 August 2013. Retrieved 2 January 2016.
  244. ^ Hytner, David (3 September 2013). "Mesut Ozil signs for Arsenal in a £42.5m transfer deal from Real Madrid". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 2 January 2016.
  245. ^ Wilson, Jeremy (3 September 2013). "Mesut Özil's £42m move to Arsenal sealed with one phone call from manager Arsene Wenger". The Daily Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 11 January 2022. Retrieved 2 January 2016.
  246. ^ "Arsene Wenger: Arsenal loss to Chelsea was 'my fault'". BBC Sport. 23 March 2014. Retrieved 2 January 2016.
  247. ^ "Arsene Wenger: Arsenal boss faces criticism after 1,000th game". BBC Sport. 23 March 2014. Retrieved 10 January 2016.
  248. ^ Cross (2015), pp. 201–2.
  249. ^ "Wenger signs contract extension". Arsenal F.C. 30 May 2014. Retrieved 10 January 2016.
  250. ^ Cross (2015), pp. 224–34.
  251. ^ Kelly, Rob (17 July 2015). "Wenger – Bellerin's next challenge". Arsenal F.C. Retrieved 10 January 2016.
  252. ^ Walker-Roberts, James (31 May 2015). "Arsenal 4–0 Aston Villa: Dominant Gunners seal record FA Cup victory". Sky Sports. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
  253. ^ "Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
  254. ^ "Arsenal agree deal with Granit Xhaka". Arsenal F.C. 25 May 2016. Retrieved 25 May 2016.
  255. ^ "Shkodran Mustafi signs for Arsenal". Arsenal F.C. 30 August 2016.
  256. ^ "Touchline ban for Arsene Wenger".
  257. ^ "Tottenham end 22-year 'St. Totteringham' curse with Arsenal victory". Goal.com.
  258. ^ Dudko, James. "Arsenal Beat Everton 3-1, Fail to Qualify for Champions League". Bleacher Report.
  259. ^ "Arsenal 2–1 Chelsea". BBC Sport. 27 May 2017. Retrieved 31 May 2017.
  260. ^ "Arsene Wenger: Arsenal boss signs new two-year contract". BBC Sport. 31 May 2017. Retrieved 31 May 2017.
  261. ^ "Arsenal to step up Lemar bid after sealing £52m Lacazette deal". London Evening Standard. Retrieved 28 August 2017.
  262. ^ "Arsenal's free signing Sead Kolasinac shows there's still value in the transfer market – Arsene Wenger". Squawka Football News. Retrieved 28 August 2017.
  263. ^ "Arsenal 1–1 Chelsea (Arsenal won 4–1 on pens)". BBC Sport. 6 August 2017. Retrieved 28 August 2017.
  264. ^ "Once revolutionaries, Wenger and Mourinho on verge of irrelevance". ESPN. 3 March 2018. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  265. ^ "Merci Arsène". Arsenal F.C. 20 April 2018. Retrieved 20 April 2018.
  266. ^ McNulty, Phil (6 May 2018). "Arsenal 5–0 Burnley". BBC.
  267. ^ Begley, Emlyn (13 May 2018). "Huddersfield Town 0–1 Arsenal". BBC.
  268. ^ Crampton, Robert (2 October 2020). "Arsène Wenger on his exit from Arsenal and getting to know his great rival Sir Alex Ferguson". The Times.
  269. ^ "An Audience With Arsène Wenger and David Dein". English Premier League (EPL). 8 November 2021. Optus Sport.
  270. ^ McRae, Donald (20 October 2020). "Arsène Wenger: 'A sense of anger, humiliation, hate … every defeat is still a scar on my heart'". The Guardian.
  271. ^ a b c "FIFA announces Arsene Wenger as Chief of Global Football Development". fifa.com. 13 November 2019. Retrieved 17 August 2021.
  272. ^ a b c Wenger, Arsene. My Life in Red and White: My Autobiography. Translated by Hahn, Daniel; Reece, Andrea. ASIN 1474618243.
  273. ^ "Arsene Wenger Makes Investment In Sports Technology Firm PlayerMaker". forbes.com (Archived). Archived from the original on 16 March 2023. Retrieved 8 September 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  274. ^ Burt, Jason (10 March 2004). "Wenger looks for proof of pedigree". The Independent. London. Retrieved 26 January 2016.
  275. ^ "Gunners want to go Dutch". Daily Mirror. London. 10 March 2004. Retrieved 26 January 2016.
  276. ^ Harris, Chris (19 March 2010). "Wenger – I did not copy 4–3–3 from Barca". Arsenal F.C. Retrieved 26 January 2016.
  277. ^ Vialli & Marcotti (2006), p. 182.
  278. ^ Simpson, Paul (10 December 2013). "Analysing the superhuman resilience of Arsene Wenger". FourFourTwo. Retrieved 26 January 2016.
  279. ^ Samuel, Martin (13 November 2007). "Arsenal return to the summit with another show of style". The Times. Retrieved 6 March 2016. (subscription required)
  280. ^ Finkelstein, Daniel (27 November 2007). "Efficiency drive in defence and attack is proving Arsene Wenger right". The Times. Retrieved 22 April 2008. (subscription required)
  281. ^ a b Lawrence (2014), p. 88.
  282. ^ Lucas, Dan (10 December 2013). "Roy Keane and Patrick Vieira – Best of Enemies: live review". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 11 January 2022. Retrieved 26 January 2016.
  283. ^ a b c d Lovejoy, Joe (25 April 2004). "The vision of Wenger". The Sunday Times. p. S16.
  284. ^ Cross (2015), p. 62.
  285. ^ Palmer (2008), p. 5.
  286. ^ Lovejoy, Joe (23 February 1997). "The brain behind the brawn". The Sunday Times. p. S5.
  287. ^ a b Ridley, Ian (2 August 1997). "The French revolutionary". The Independent on Sunday. London. Retrieved 24 January 2016. Wenger believes that the old 4–4–2 is still the best way; another change that Arsenal will be embracing, injuries permitting.
  288. ^ Ridley, Ian (3 May 1998). "The talks that turned the title". The Independent on Sunday. London. Retrieved 26 January 2016.
  289. ^ Wilson (2013), p. 282.
  290. ^ Pierce, Bill (17 May 1999). "Gunners will go back to future!". Coventry Telegraph. p. 22.
  291. ^ Strachan, Gordon (18 October 2004). "World-class Cole is leader of the left-wing schemes for Gunners and England". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
  292. ^ Donegan, Lawrence (1 October 2005). "Cruyff says 4–5–1 is a sign of bunker mentality". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
  293. ^ Winter, Henry (4 December 2004). "Winter on Saturday: Bellamy excels as middle man". The Daily Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 11 January 2022. Retrieved 26 January 2016.
  294. ^ a b Smith, Paul (14 May 2006). "Football: The madness of King Arsene". Sunday Mirror. London. Retrieved 14 August 2012.
  295. ^ Cox (2011), p. 94.
  296. ^ White, Duncan (4 October 2009). "Cesc Fábregas the foundation stone for Arsène Wenger's new team". The Sunday Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 11 January 2022. Retrieved 14 August 2012.
  297. ^ Sheen, Tom (19 January 2015). "Arsene Wenger: Did defensive display show that Arsenal manager has finally forgotten his stubborn streak?". The Independent. London. Retrieved 11 March 2016. What quickly became clear was that Wenger had actually set his team out to play in a very deep 4–1–4–1 ...
  298. ^ "Wenger on Stoke City, Cech and Ozil". Arsenal F.C. 17 January 2016. Retrieved 26 January 2016. I played [Ozil] in a 4–3–3 today. Normally we play a 4–2–3–1 as players like to push forward and I think it is a position that suits him well.
  299. ^ "Arsenal legend Martin Keown offers his take on Arsene Wenger's 3–4–3 formation". Metro. London.
  300. ^ McCarra, Kevin (8 March 2004). "Arsenal conjure up images of Ajax". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 26 January 2016.
  301. ^ "Wenger hails Pompey fans". BBC Sport. 6 March 2004. Retrieved 26 January 2016.
  302. ^ Edwards, Luke (25 October 2014). "Alexis Sanchez double does little to quell fan unrest on Wearside". The Daily Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 11 January 2022. Retrieved 26 January 2016. Dominating possession has not been a problem for any Arsenal side under Wenger, but they are not clinical enough with it. This was no different.
  303. ^ Hytner, David (1 October 2010). "Arsenal can beat Chelsea with passing not power, says Arsène Wenger". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 26 January 2016.
  304. ^ Cox (2011), pp. 90, 96.
  305. ^ Hughes, Matt (31 March 2010). "Arsene Wenger refuses to ditch his principles in battle of pass masters". The Times. Retrieved 14 August 2012.(subscription required)
  306. ^ Delaney, Miguel (3 April 2015). "Arsenal's Premier League title-chase questions persist for Arsene Wenger". ESPN. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  307. ^ Wilson, Jeremy (2 October 2015). "Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger must adapt his tactics to beat Chelsea or Jose Mourinho will have his number again". The Daily Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 11 January 2022. Retrieved 26 January 2016.
  308. ^ a b James, Josh (17 June 2015). "Always ready to learn". Arsenal F.C. Retrieved 16 March 2016.
  309. ^ a b James, Josh (20 May 2015). "Practice makes perfect". Arsenal F.C. Retrieved 16 March 2016.
  310. ^ a b Lawrence, Amy (1 October 2006). "French lessons". The Observer. London. Retrieved 16 August 2012.
  311. ^ Cross (2015), p. 20.
  312. ^ Winter, Henry (2 March 2004). "Ranting part of Wenger's grand design". The Daily Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 11 January 2022. Retrieved 16 March 2016.
  313. ^ Cross (2015), p. 23.
  314. ^ a b Rush (2011), p. 345.
  315. ^ a b Wilson, Jeremy (22 December 2014). "Revealed: The truth behind Arsenal's terrible injury record – and how your club shapes up". The Daily Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 11 January 2022. Retrieved 16 March 2016.
  316. ^ Mackay, Hamish (16 July 2015). "Arsenal improved their injury record by 25% in a year – this is the American coach who helped them do it". Daily Mirror. London. Retrieved 16 March 2016.
  317. ^ Kuper, Simon (17 June 2011). "A football revolution". Financial Times. London. Retrieved 1 March 2016. (registration required)
  318. ^ John Cross. Arsene Wenger: The Inside Story of Arsenal Under Wenger.
  319. ^ Cross (2015), p. 167.
  320. ^ Lawrence (2014), p. 171.
  321. ^ a b Rees (2014), p. 66.
  322. ^ "George Weah – unassuming even at the pinnacle of success". FIFA. 12 February 1996. Archived from the original on 22 March 2016. Retrieved 21 February 2016.
  323. ^ Adelakun, Toyin omo; Taylor, Chris (4 June 1998). "France 98 Aces and wild cards: Eagles with clipped wings". The Guardian. London. p. 30.
  324. ^ Rees (2014), p. 67.
  325. ^ Hare (2003), p. 184.
  326. ^ Hattenstone, Simon (16 January 2008). "Club-class Anelka has always travelled in style". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 5 July 2013.
  327. ^ Chadband, Ian (26 January 2007). "This naughty Nic has found a good side". London Evening Standard. p. 66.
  328. ^ Jones, Meirion (1 June 2006). "Arsenal face Fifa investigation". BBC News. Retrieved 11 March 2016.
  329. ^ Wilkes, Paul (3 November 2015). "Interview: Arsenal loanee Jon Toral on being at Barça and growing up with Bellerin". FourFourTwo. Retrieved 11 March 2016.
  330. ^ a b Bright, Richard (30 April 2009). "Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger hits back over 'child trafficking' accusation". The Daily Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 11 January 2022. Retrieved 23 May 2012.
  331. ^ Hytner, David (7 April 2009). "Arsene Wenger's super outsiders take the faith to Spain". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 11 March 2016.
  332. ^ Moore, Glenn (23 August 2008). "Arsene Wenger: Success – I make it, I won't buy it". The Independent. London. Retrieved 19 May 2012.
  333. ^ Cross (2015), p. 104–6.
  334. ^ Fifield, Dominic (28 January 2013). "Alisher Usmanov criticises board for turning Arsenal into feeder club". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 11 March 2016.
  335. ^ "Arsene Wenger: Arsenal strong again after 'very sensitive period'". BBC Sport. 6 March 2015. Retrieved 11 March 2016.
  336. ^ Lawrence, Amy (16 December 2011). "Arsène Wenger happy with Arsenal's health after emergency surgery". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 11 March 2016.
  337. ^ Turner, Stephen (30 January 2016). "Arsene Wenger says kids can't cut it in cups anymore". Sky Sports. Retrieved 11 March 2016.
  338. ^ Benammar, Emily (23 February 2009). "Arsenal lack balance in transfer dealings, says Manchester United's Alex Ferguson". The Daily Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 11 January 2022. Retrieved 2 March 2016.
  339. ^ "Joey Barton: Lack of spine or character in the Arsenal team". BBC Sport. 3 October 2014. Retrieved 2 March 2016.
  340. ^ Clarke, Richard (24 September 2010). "Wenger – I am not scared to spend money". Arsenal F.C. Retrieved 6 March 2016.
  341. ^ Hayward, Paul (31 January 2010). "Rivalry between Arsène Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson unmatched in sport". The Observer. London. Retrieved 15 July 2012.
  342. ^ "Pizzagate: a slice of strife". The Guardian. London. 15 September 2006. Retrieved 18 February 2009.
  343. ^ Bhardwaj, Vaishali (4 October 2017). "Cesc Fabregas reveals he hit then Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson with a slice of pizza in 'Battle of the Buffet'". London Evening Standard. Retrieved 21 April 2018.
  344. ^ "Wenger denies seeing tunnel food fight". The Sunday Times. London. 26 October 2004. Retrieved 1 January 2011.
  345. ^ "Wenger fined over Ruud outburst". BBC Sport. 16 December 2004. Retrieved 1 January 2010.
  346. ^ "Wenger and Ferguson to end feud". BBC Sport. 20 January 2005. Retrieved 1 January 2010.
  347. ^ Wilson, Jeremy (22 October 2013). "Arsène Wenger rift revealed in Alex Ferguson book". The Daily Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 11 January 2022. Retrieved 25 March 2014.
  348. ^ "Arsene Wenger's highs and lows after fourteen years at Arsenal". Metro. 16 August 2010. Retrieved 3 January 2011.
  349. ^ a b "Mourinho labels Wenger a 'voyeur'". BBC Sport. 31 October 2005. Retrieved 1 January 2010.
  350. ^ "Angry Wenger hits out at Mourinho". BBC Sport. 1 November 2005. Retrieved 3 January 2011.
  351. ^ "Mourinho regrets 'voyeur' comment". BBC Sport. 23 December 2005. Retrieved 1 January 2010.
  352. ^ a b Fifield, Dominic (15 February 2014). "Arsenal's Arsène Wenger is a specialist in failure, claims Chelsea manager". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 28 May 2014.
  353. ^ Wilson, Jeremy (16 February 2014). "Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger says Jose Mourinho has embarrassed both himself and Chelsea". The Daily Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 11 January 2022. Retrieved 28 May 2014.
  354. ^ Johnson, Simon (21 March 2014). "Jose Mourinho can't resist dig at 'privileged' Arsene Wenger ahead of Chelsea v Arsenal". London Evening Standard. Retrieved 28 May 2014.
  355. ^ "Arsene Wenger & Jose Mourinho: Arsenal boss 'no regrets over push'". BBC Sport. 12 October 2014. Retrieved 6 November 2014.
  356. ^ "Arsène Wenger: 'Did José Mourinho provoke me? That is how I felt'". The Guardian. London. 12 October 2014. Retrieved 6 November 2014.
  357. ^ "Wenger charged with 'intimidation' of fourth official". The Guardian. London. 21 August 2000. Retrieved 4 November 2011.
  358. ^ Davies, Christopher (11 October 2000). "Wenger hit by 12-match dug-out ban". The Daily Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 11 January 2022. Retrieved 4 November 2011.
  359. ^ Davies, Christopher (2 February 2001). "FA drop 12-match touchline ban on Wenger". The Daily Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 11 January 2022. Retrieved 4 November 2011.
  360. ^ "Wenger out of order, says ex-ref". BBC Sport. 4 March 2007. Retrieved 1 January 2010.
  361. ^ "Wenger given fine & warning by FA". BBC Sport. 17 April 2007. Retrieved 1 January 2010.
  362. ^ "Arsenal's Arsene Wenger and Samir Nasri charged by Uefa". BBC Sport. 9 March 2011. Retrieved 3 February 2012.
  363. ^ "Wenger, Nasri and Jordan suspended for one match". UEFA. 17 March 2011. Retrieved 3 February 2012.
  364. ^ "Wenger suspended for next two matches". UEFA. 22 August 2011. Retrieved 3 February 2012.
  365. ^ a b "Three-match ban for Wenger". UEFA. 30 March 2012. Retrieved 15 May 2012.
  366. ^ "Wenger: Fans must keep the faith". Irish Examiner. Cork. 6 February 2010. Retrieved 3 January 2011.
  367. ^ May, John (19 May 2003). "No more boring, boring Arsenal". BBC Sport. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
  368. ^ Hansen, Alan (8 March 2004). "United no longer the dominant force". The Daily Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 11 January 2022. Retrieved 10 August 2012.
  369. ^ "Wenger proud of attacking legacy". BBC Sport. 29 September 2008. Retrieved 10 August 2012.
  370. ^ Smith, Alan (13 March 2016). "It is too early to call for Arsene Wenger's head but faith in him cannot last indefinitely". The Independent. London. Archived from the original on 11 January 2022. Retrieved 23 June 2016.
  371. ^ Winter, Henry (6 December 2001). "Arsenal sign Wenger with expert timing". The Daily Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 11 January 2022. Retrieved 3 July 2006.
  372. ^ Ellis, Vince (30 November 2002). "Football: Taylor among activists to Wenger's revolution". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 18 May 2012.
  373. ^ Bascombe, Chris (13 October 2011). "Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger is an idol of mine, says revered baseball coach Billy Beane". The Daily Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 11 January 2022. Retrieved 3 February 2012.
  374. ^ "Wenger comes out tops as savvy boss". Sky News. 10 August 2007. Retrieved 2 January 2011.
  375. ^ "Why football owes Wenger a debt of gratitude". Irish Examiner. Cork. 21 January 2010. Archived from the original on 31 May 2011. Retrieved 3 January 2011.
  376. ^ Wallace, Sam (25 February 2016). "Can Arsene Wenger be classed an all-time great without a Champions League triumph at Arsenal?". The Daily Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 11 January 2022. Retrieved 23 June 2016.
  377. ^ Calvin, Michael (19 March 2016). "Arsene Wenger is best of this era but Brian Clough's cup coup still stands out". The Independent. London. Retrieved 23 June 2016. (subscription required)
  378. ^ a b Winter, Henry (1 March 2016). "Arsène Wenger must change now – or resign". The Times. London. Retrieved 23 June 2016. (subscription required)
  379. ^ "Ferguson praises former arch-rival Wenger". Sky News. 28 May 2016. Retrieved 23 June 2016.
  380. ^ "Wenger awarded premier French honour". UEFA. 17 July 2002. Archived from the original on 5 May 2012. Retrieved 3 January 2011.
  381. ^ a b "Moore heads honours roll call". BBC News. 14 June 2003. Retrieved 1 January 2010.
  382. ^ "It's Wenger Day at Highbury!". Arsenal F.C. 22 October 2005. Retrieved 2 January 2011.
  383. ^ a b Gibson, John (20 October 2006). "Wor Jackie joins the Hall of Fame". Evening Chronicle. Newcastle. Retrieved 16 December 2012.
  384. ^ "Arsenal commission bust of Arsène Wenger". Arsenal F.C. 18 October 2007. Retrieved 2 January 2011.
  385. ^ Chamberlin, Alan (26 October 2007). "JPL Small-Body Database Browser". Ssd.jpl.nasa. Retrieved 31 October 2009.
  386. ^ "Arsenewenger". Macintosh. 21 November 2007. Archived from the original on 20 May 2011. Retrieved 31 October 2009.
  387. ^ "Arsène Wenger inaugure un stade à son nom en Alsace". L'Équipe (in French). Paris. 23 May 2016. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
  388. ^ "Arsenal unveil Arsene Wenger bronze statue outside Emirates Stadium". BBC. London. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  389. ^ Cowley, Jason (14 May 2006). "The French revolutionary". The Observer. London. Retrieved 15 May 2012.
  390. ^ Jolly, Richard (21 March 2014). "Standing at 1000, greatest number is one". The National. London. Retrieved 18 May 2014.
  391. ^ Jackson, Jamie (28 September 2009). "Arsenal were crazy to appoint me, says Arsène Wenger". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 17 July 2013.
  392. ^ Manhire, Toby (17 February 2005). "Critics fire salvo at all-foreign Arsenal". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 30 June 2012.
  393. ^ Morris, Josie (10 March 2006). "This was no English victory says Taylor". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 3 July 2006.
  394. ^ Winter, Henry (11 March 2006). "Wenger in racism row". The Daily Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 11 January 2022. Retrieved 6 August 2012.
  395. ^ "English kids are technically inferior, claims Brooking". ESPNSoccernet. 15 March 2006. Archived from the original on 6 December 2008. Retrieved 3 July 2006.
  396. ^ "We are being conned". Sky Sports. 23 November 2007. Retrieved 3 February 2011.
  397. ^ Simons, Raoul (23 January 2006). "Walcott deal can't hide Wenger's foreign fancy". London Evening Standard. p. 63.
  398. ^ Van Wijk, Jim (27 November 2012). "Arsenal should build around young British players like Jack Wilshere, says Arsene Wenger". The Independent. London. Retrieved 18 May 2014.
  399. ^ Winter, Henry (31 October 2003). "Wayward Arsenal are sentenced". The Daily Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 11 January 2022. Retrieved 11 September 2015.
  400. ^ "Arsenal admit discipline problem". BBC Sport. 21 February 2002. Retrieved 11 September 2015.
  401. ^ "FA quizzes Wenger about comments". BBC Sport. 19 December 2005. Retrieved 1 January 2010.
  402. ^ "Wenger admits to 'selective vision'". BBC Sport. 14 August 2009. Retrieved 14 August 2009.
  403. ^ "Fair Play to Gunners". The Football Association. Archived from the original on 27 October 2004. Retrieved 3 July 2006.
  404. ^ "Round-up: Drogba to stay". The Daily Telegraph. London. 19 May 2005. Archived from the original on 11 January 2022. Retrieved 3 February 2012.
  405. ^ "Barclays Premiership 2005/06 Fair Play League" (PDF). Premier League. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 September 2006. Retrieved 13 August 2006.
  406. ^ "Barclays Premier League 2007/2008 Fair Play League" (PDF). Premier League. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 December 2008. Retrieved 2 September 2009.
  407. ^ "Arsenal finish third in Fair Play League". Arsenal F.C. 24 May 2009. Archived from the original on 20 November 2012. Retrieved 1 January 2011.
  408. ^ "Arsenal top Premier League Fair Play table". Arsenal F.C. 14 May 2010. Retrieved 1 January 2011.
  409. ^ Turnbull, Dominic (14 February 1999). "Mr Ruthless reveals a taste for fair play". The Independent. London. Retrieved 3 January 2011.
  410. ^ Staniforth, Tommy (16 February 1999). "Arsenal cut prices for Cup rematch". The Independent. London. Retrieved 3 January 2011.
  411. ^ Thorpe, Martin (24 February 1999). "Overmars has gift of second sight". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 3 January 2011.
  412. ^ "Arsene Wenger: Arsenal manager splits from wife Annie with couple not together since June". The Independent. London. 23 September 2015. Retrieved 23 September 2015.
  413. ^ Ridley, Ian (16 May 1999). "Chalk and chalk". The Observer. London. Retrieved 1 July 2012.
  414. ^ "Ligue des champions : " Mon cher Arsène ", ce consultant vedette lâché par TF1". Le Monde (in French). 19 February 2015. Retrieved 20 March 2016.
  415. ^ "Euro 2016: Arsène Wenger sera consultant sur beIN Sports". Le Figaro (in French). 2 March 2016. Retrieved 20 March 2016.
  416. ^ "Arsène Wenger signs for Castrol". Castrol. 25 March 2009. Archived from the original on 30 January 2013. Retrieved 31 August 2009.
  417. ^ Szczepanik, Nick (12 October 2007). "Arsene Wenger on a roll, statistically speaking". The Times. Retrieved 25 July 2012. (subscription required)
  418. ^ "Amazon.co.jp: 勝者のエスプリ: アーセン ベンゲル, Arsène Wenger: 本". Amazon Japan. Retrieved 2 September 2009.
  419. ^ Harris, Rob (10 October 2013). "AP Interview: Wenger's faith, football and future". Associated Press.
  420. ^ Ganesh, Janan (11 April 2014). "Arsène Wenger: Patience wears thin with Le Professeur". Financial Times. Retrieved 12 April 2014.
  421. ^ McCarra, Kevin (16 April 2003). "United by passion, divided by ambition, Ferguson and Wenger define an era". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 15 May 2012.
  422. ^ "Wenger appeals for privacy after affair claims". USA Today. 11 June 2010. Retrieved 6 October 2013.
  423. ^ a b Arsène Wenger at FootballDatabase.eu
  424. ^ "Arsène Wenger". Racing stub. 22 October 1949. Retrieved 10 January 2016.
  425. ^ "Managers: Arsene Wenger". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 January 2019.
  426. ^ "League Information". East Asian Football Federation. Retrieved 22 December 2011.
  427. ^ "J. League Data Site". data.j-league.or.jp.
  428. ^ "Arsene Wenger: One-on-One". Four Four Two.com. December 2007.
  429. ^ "Arsenal award departing manager Arsene Wenger golden 'Invincibles' trophy". BT Sport. 6 May 2018. Retrieved 9 May 2018.
  430. ^ a b c "Manager profile: Arsène Wenger". Premier League. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
  431. ^ "Jリーグ 歴代のMVP・ベストイレブン・得点王". Ultra Zone (in Japanese).
  432. ^ ""Onze Mondial" Awards". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation.
  433. ^ "Wenger picks up another double". League Managers Association. 14 May 2002. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 3 May 2012.
  434. ^ "Wenger secures LMA award". BBC Sport. 18 May 2004. Retrieved 28 May 2009.
  435. ^ "Wenger at the Double". BBC Sport. 8 December 2002. Retrieved 1 January 2010.
  436. ^ "BBC Sports Personality: The winners". BBC Sport. 12 December 2002. Retrieved 1 January 2010.
  437. ^ "Willow Foundation true winners". WH Times.co.uk. 10 March 2015. Archived from the original on 10 January 2019. Retrieved 16 March 2017.
  438. ^ "World Soccer Awards 2016". World Soccer.com. December 2016.
  439. ^ "Arsene Wenger Tribute". Football Writers' Association. 16 January 2007. Archived from the original on 27 February 2012. Retrieved 31 October 2009.
  440. ^ "Arsene Wenger". League Managers.com. Archived from the original on 10 September 2021. Retrieved 17 March 2017.
  441. ^ "Wenger voted World Coach of the Decade". Arsenal F.C. 10 January 2011. Retrieved 11 January 2011.
  442. ^ "Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez wins Player of the Year at inaugural Facebook Football Awards". Premier League. 26 May 2015. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  443. ^ "Top 50 des coaches de l'histoire". France Football. 19 March 2019. Retrieved 19 March 2019.
  444. ^ Jamie Rainbow (4 July 2013). "The Greatest Manager of all time". World Soccer.
  445. ^ Jamie Rainbow (2 July 2013). "The Greatest XI: how the panel voted". World Soccer. Archived from the original on 1 January 2015. Retrieved 21 December 2019.
  446. ^ Rowan, Kate (19 February 2019). "Jose Mourinho names Arsene Wenger 'one of the best managers in football history' in awards tribute". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 11 January 2022 – via www.telegraph.co.uk.
  447. ^ "Ferguson and Wenger inducted into Premier League Hall of Fame". Premier League. 29 March 2023. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
  448. ^ "Freedom of Islington for Arsenal pair". Islington Council. 29 October 2004. Archived from the original on 16 December 2014. Retrieved 15 July 2012.
  449. ^ "Weah under attack over Wenger, Le Roy – Punch Newspapers". The Punch. 23 August 2018. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
  450. ^ "Weah honours former coaches Wenger and LeRoy". The Guardian. Retrieved 25 August 2018.

Sources

Further reading

External links