Arsene Wenger: 18 Years With the Professor

Arsenal fans will always find something to dig into Arsene Wenger about: “He doesn’t spend enough,” “He isn’t flexible enough,” “He’s over the hill,” “He’s French.” But I’d wager that a hulking majority of those fans would prefer Wenger to just about any other manager in the world.

And for good reason.

Wenger has given us three BPL titles, five FA Cups (including two doubles) and five community shields to boot.

Wednesday’s match against Galatasaray marked the 18 year anniversary since Arsene Wenger joined the club. Compare that to all the other managers in the Premier League, none of whom have been at their club for more than four years. Wenger has become a permanent fixture, not only at Arsenal, but in the Premier League as well.

Arsene Wenger ranks right up there with the George Graham and Herbert Chapman. Arsenal have been a relevant force in the most prestigious league of European football for all 18 years, as we have made the Champions League each of those years. That is an amazing feat and it’s something Wenger deserves absolute credit for.

Despite the now-quinched trophy drought that began in 2005, Wenger has delivered some of the most memorable and impressive season’s Arsenal has ever experienced. Obviously the one that stands out is the 2003/4 Invincibles year, which was right in the middle of an unprecedented 49 game undefeated streak. That sort of stuff doesn’t happen, which is evidenced by the fact that it hadn’t happened since Preston North End in the 1880s, and they played less than 30 games.

Wenger has given us three BPL titles, five FA Cups (including two doubles) and five community shields to boot. He’s given us Thierry Henry, a converted winger who turned out to be one of the best strikers the world has ever seen. He’s turned nothing’s into somethings (see Patrick Vieira). He gave Arsenal a new home in the Emirates, a stadium that is one of the favorites in the Premier League due to its quality.