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Could a return to Arsenal be on the cards for Arsene Wenger? Former Arsenal player and current manager Mikel Arteta has expressed his desire for the same. In recent interviews, he has spoken about having the former boss involved with the club in some capacity. Since leaving Arsenal in 2018, Arsene Wenger has completely detached himself from any activities concerning the Gunners.
Many seem perplexed by Arteta's wish to welcome the legend back to the club. Arsene Wenger is considered a controlling and dominating presence by many and having him back at the club could intervene with Arteta's authority.
However, it cannot be argued that the French manager has a plethora of experience at recruiting players and taking after their development. Arsenal are going through a transition phase. The young team is developing and learning how to compete at the highest level.
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Arsene Wenger's presence could well strengthen the way these players look at the game and themselves. Recently, Arsenal also seem to have fixed their persistent problem of a leaky defense with a new rearguard.
In his time, the Frenchman himself worked with some of the great defenders at Arsenal. Here is a look at five of the greatest defenders Arsene Wenger has coached in his career:
#5 Lauren
They say no one in football wishes to be a full-back. It's always a striker or a winger who can't make the cut in their desired position and turn full-back. Well, to those of you who are unknown to Lauren, think of his situation as that of Ainsley Maitland Niles.
You like to contest as a midfielder, but to get game-time you have to go and play as a right-back. Sure, fans praise you for your versatality, but can you make it work if your heart's not in it? Lauren made it work out and how. He replaced Lee Dixon, arguably Arsenal's best right-back of all time, even though he was signed by Arsene Wenger as a midfielder.
Lauren was an excellent tackler and never rushed in with bad decisions. A midfielder by nature, his technical ability helped him immensely as a full-back. During his time at Arsenal, the Cameronian won two Premier League titles and three FA Cups. He left Wenger's team in 2007 after making 241 appearances.
#4 Ashley Cole
With his name maligned due to his own actions, Ashley Cole has never found redemption amongst the Arsenal faithful. Truth be told, he stopped trying after a time to convince those that still had bitter feelings for him. Cole was disdained by Gunners fans when he left them for Chelsea in 2006.
He was infamously nicknamed 'Cashley'. But if you are the best left-back in the world, you deserve to move to a team that offers you the best shot at winning trophies. The English defender did nothing wrong. For everything he has showcased on the field, Cole is definitely one of the best defenders to play under Arsene Wenger.
The left-back moved through the ranks at Arsenal and made his debut in 1999. His playmaking abilities from out wide were unparalleled. For the better part of the decade he was the best in his position in the world. The left-back made 228 appearances for Arsenal and won two Premier League titles and three FA Cups before joining the Blues.
Cole in many ways represents why Arsene Wenger failed to make the winning team after a point. His inability to bring ready-made stars to the club and stick with the policy of buying lesser known faces wasn't yielding trophies.
#3 Martin Keown
One of the most spirited, intense and hot-headed characters to play for Arsene Wenger was Martin Keown. The centre-back was famous for his explosive pace and audatious tackles and bore the fruit of reinventing himself with time. In his prime, the England international made life difficult for forwards who thrived inside the box.
Keown made a total of 401 appearances for Arsenal, 399 of which came in his second spell when he joined in 1993. Arsene Wenger appreciated his bite and combative nature and made him a regular in his rearguard. The defender didn't get his hands on any substantial piece of silverware until the Frenchman arrived.
Before leaving Arsenal, Keown had won two domestic doubles in 1998 and 2002. He played a role from the bench in the 'Invincibles' campaign. Even today, the defender considers Arsene Wenger in high regard and often narrates stories from his Arsenal days.
#2 Sol Campbell
Sol Campbell's transfer saga only reiterated the ghosts that follow a player once they exchange outfits with their local derby rivals. Except this wasn't a gesture of swapping jerseys after the game. This was Campbell leaving Tottenham Hotspur for Arsenal to win trophies.
Oh how far behind the Gunners have fallen now Arsene!
The Frenchman signed the centre-back from their arch rivals because he realized that his strikers weren't comfortable playing against him. So when Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp feel uncomfortable facing a striker, you know he's quite special.
His character, mental strength and hunger on the pitch were contagious and empowering for the team. Campbell arrived with the reputation of a centre-back who was impregnable. For the most part, he justified those adjectives under Arsene Wenger.
The England international made a total of 211 appearances for the Gunners. His goal was to win trophies and he was successful in doing so at his new club. He won two Premier League titles and three FA Cups back in his days with Wenger.
#1 Tony Adams
The greatest Arsenal defender, the best captain, the most loved player etc. Tony Adams was a man of many superlatives. All packed in one, the Gunners faithful titled him 'Mr. Arsenal' and that says everything about what he means to the club. One-club men were a rarity in English football and Adams belongs to the breed.
He wore the captain's armband proudly for 14 years as. He made a grand total of 669 appearances for his beloved club, the second most in history. His aerial ability was second to none and his reading of the game and his anticipation were gifts he exploited very well.
Under Arsene Wenger, the captain got a chance to expand his style of play and contribute more to the team.
He was encouraged to drive with the ball and initiate attacks from the back which he did to great effect. Adams won 12 honors with the Gunners, five of which were conquered under Arsene Wenger. Mr. Arsenal fought his battle with alcohol addiction with great dedication. He is helping many athletes today who are victims of addiction through his Sporting Chance Clinic.
