Arsene Wenger - The revolutionary

“At first, I thought what does this Frenchman know anything 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?” said Tony Adams. He arrived at Arsenal among widespread cries of “Arsene who ? ” and took little time to change it to “Arsene knows.” He is now Arsenal’s longest serving manager and also the most successful one in terms of honours won. His impact on Arsenal and football in England however extends much beyond that and is the reason why he’s ranked among the best managers in the world despite being trophyless for seven years now. He was voted IFFHS Manager of the decade ahead of Alex Ferguson and Jose Mourinho.

Following are some of his major contributions -

1. Diet and Training

Wenger made enormous changes to the players diet as he thought it was vital to their performances. He ensured that his players were not consuming fried foods. The manager made it clear to his team that alcohol consumption would not be encouraged. He realized that a diet containing boiled rice, fish and vegetables was healthy. So, he introduced a similar ‘no sugar, no fat’ diet to ensure that his team stayed healthy and fit. While the diet was initially scoffed at, over the years, diet plans are now an integral part of every club in England. Wenger introduced changes to the club’s training methods. He maintained a close watch over the time his team spent on training sessions. His sessions were of short durations but were effective. The manager’s predisposition to paying attention to details has been talked about. Example : Wenger raising the team bus’s temperature to maintain the suppleness of his team’s muscles when they travel.

2. Instant Success

Wenger finished 3rd in his first season. In his first full season 1997-98, he completed the Double for the second time in Arsenal’s history. This was followed by another FA Cup and Premier League Double in 2002 with Arsenal famously lifting the title at one their fierce rivals’ stomping ground, Old Trafford. He lifted the FA Cup again in 2003 after the solitary goal by Pires against Southampton. The crown jewel in Wenger’s crown is undoubtedly ‘The Invincibles’ season. Arsenal made history in the 2003-04 season by going the entire season unbeaten which extended to 49 games. The Premier League commissioned a special gold version of the Premier League Trophy to commemorate the historic achievement of the Gunners.3. Worldwide scouting and eye for talent

Overseas talent was often overlooked in England. Since English clubs search for players was largely limited to Britain, the cost of these players was artificially inflated. Many talented foreign players were available for a lot less transfer fee. Wenger cast his web of scouting over the entire world and it is now said that he knows about every single player being tracked at anytime. The obvious followed and other English clubs started following other leagues around the world in hope of discovering talented players. Wenger before arriving at Arsenal requested that Vieira be bought from Milan for 3.5 million. And what a purchase it turned out to be for Arsenal as he captained the team for years. Over the years he brought in Petit, Overmars, Anelka, Ljungberg, Pires, Fabregas, van Persie, Toure and many more for the price of peanuts and turned them into world class players.

4. Purist approach to football

Arsene Wenger transformed the one-dimensional and defensive way Arsenal were synonymous with and made a strong emphasis on attack. Wenger bought and developed players who were fast, agile and technically skilled on the ball. The boring Arsenal was banished forever and the team played with a panache for attacking football left the entire world drooling. The possession play combined with swift , deadly counterattacks is a delight to watch and a nightmare to play against. They played a free-flowing game, with fluid passing and movement.

5. Move to the Emirates

Highbury was cramped, the gangways overcrowded, the view in some places blocked by posts and very importantly, the match-day income was poor. The move to Emirates was very important for Arsenal to compete financially with other European super-houses. Wenger oversaw this major transition and has done much better than expected to keep Arsenal competitive with both hands tied in the transfer market and simultaneously repay the stadium debts. The club challenges on all fronts every season and even managed to reach three Cup finals. Arsenal qualified for the group stages of CL for the 14th consecutive season which is behind only Manchester United and Real Madrid.

6. Development of young players

There is probably no manager in the world who nurtures a young player like Wenger can. He is patient and gives them chances in the first team to develop. Fabregas is the best example, who is now among the best midfielders in the world. The youth academy is now beginning to bear fruit . Szczesny, Gibbs and Wilshere are already permanent names on the first team list. Frimpong, Coquelin, Ignasi, Afobe, Aneke and many others are expected to challenge for first team regularly in the coming seasons.

7. Arsene Wenger has a vision for Arsenal

It is sustainable and relies only on the income generated by the club and not on sugar daddy owners who may not stick around forever. He is yet to reap fruits for one of the biggest the made as a manger and standing firm even when some of his supporters turned on him. He will stay as the manager and end the trophy drought. When he finally leaves Arsenal, Arsenal won’t be just a club with money in the bank and a wonderful stadium, he will leave it with the one of the best world-wide scouting networks and a conveyor belt of talent from the youth system . He will leave us a future. A very bright future.

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