Arsenal: One year without Arsene Wenger

It has been exactly one year since Arsene Wenger announced that he would be stepping down from the role of Arsenal Manager. My feelings about the great man have not changed.

I recently reviewed my Pain In The Arsenal author page. There are some articles that I am really proud of, others not so much, but I could not believe that I had not expressed my thoughts regarding Arsene Wenger himself, especially after it was announced this time last year that he would be stepping down as manager of Arsenal Football Club.

Arsene Wenger was Arsenal manager for 22 years. He was Arsenal Manager for the first 20 years of my life. Not only did I respect him as a footballing icon, but I respected him as a human being. I could not not express my thoughts about a man who I truly came to admire.

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On the same day in which I had my encounter with Aaron Ramsey, I was also fortunate enough to meet Arsene Wenger.

With age, I came to learn that Arsène Wenger is arguably the most deferential man in all of football. However, I did not know this as an eleven-year-old. After he stepped majestically into the reception area, I made my way over to the great man, who was much taller and imposing than I ever anticipated. Amidst the sizeable crowd of admirers, I politely (but firmly) asked for his autograph. He graciously stopped, signed my magazine, said a few words, and then went on his elegant way.

For me, Arsène Wenger was more than just the manager of Arsenal Football Club. If you were to tell me that I had the opportunity to interview five people of my choosing, Arsène Wenger would probably be the first name on my list.

He certainly had his flaws, and by no means was he the most successful Premier League manager, that honour is clearly bestowed upon the great Sir Alex Ferguson, but I think one could easily make the argument that Arsène Wenger is the most influential manager of all-time.

Everyone knows the reasons why – he revolutionized English football. Training, diet, tactics, the very fabric of Arsenal Football Club, Wenger changed them all.

However, for me, Arsène Wenger’s greatest quality was his demeanour. He was the perfect representative for Arsenal Football Club, and for the football world as a whole. He is the man who made me fall in love with football. He is an all-time great.

Merci Arsène.