On This Day – 22nd September
“Arsene who?” was the question on the lips of football fans across the country on this day 25 years ago.
After dismissing Bruce Rioch in the summer of 1996, Arsenal were on the lookout for a new manager. Johann Cruyff, Terry Venables and Bobby Robson were all linked with the role, but the Arsenal board decided to go for a complete unknown.
Frenchman Arsene Wenger came in from Japanese side Grampus Eight and completely revolutionised the English game. His training methods and radical changes to the player’s diets were met with scorn. The Arsenal players even protested when Wenger refused to let them eat Mars bars!
In time though, the players realised that Wenger’s way of conditioning them turned them into much fitter and stronger players. The famous back four who were all heading towards end of their career now that the Frenchman helped add a couple of extra years onto their playing days.
Wenger would remain at Arsenal until 2018 and became the club’s most successful manager. He oversaw three Premier League titles and seven FA Cup wins. The club also reached the 2000 UEFA Cup Final and 2006 Champions League Final, but lost to Galatasaray and Barcelona.
Arsene Wenger’s crowning achievement came in the 2003/04 season when the club went the whole season unbeaten in the league. In the 38 Premier League games, they won 26 and drew 12 and the team became known as ‘The Invincibles’.
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