Today is the 13th anniversary of Arsene Wenger’s managerial career at Arsenal, making him the longest-serving manager in our beloved club’s history.
It goes without saying that 13 years is a bloody long time for someone to stick at just about any one job. And 13 years as a top-flight manager at the same club is almost unheard of. Indeed, were it not for Alex Ferguson’s almost preposterous 23-year stint as Manchester United manager the Frenchman would be longest-serving manager in the European game, a remarkable achievement considering his reputation before joining the club.
Although a lot of Arsenal supporters are – not unfairly – concerned at the lack of silverware over the past four seasons, I think today is a day where we should remember the positive things that Wenger has done for this club.
Results-wise he’s has brought three Premier League trophies, numerous FA Cups, the unbeaten season and the only European Cup final in Arsenal’s history.
Player-wise he has brought in and developed some of the best players in our club’s history; Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp, Cesc Fabregas, Robert Pires, Patrick Vieira, Fredrik Ljungberg, Kolo Toure, Robin van Persie and Sol Campbell.
Football-wise he has developed a brand of football that almost every football observer who doesn’t support Arsenal is jealous of. It is attacking, skillful, positive football based on technique and athleticism and he has nurtured it through every level of the club from the first-team right down to the youth-team squad.
What’s more, all this has been achieved whilst helping Arsenal achieve a level of financial success that has allowed us to build a new stadium without relying on unmanageable debt or overseas investors who don’t have the best interests of the club at heart.
Wenger has had a brilliant run as Arsenal manager and it should not be forgotten.
It’s undeniable that results-wise, Wenger has had a tough few seasons as the boss. But looking at our squad and the start we’ve made this season, I honestly believe that barren run could be over. It’s been four long years since we won a trophy and although it would foolish to bashfully predict the run to end this year, the signs are very positive that 13 could be very lucky for Wenger.
So to end things today I just want to wish Arsene a happy anniversary. Thanks for the memories, the culture of attractive football and positive team spirit that you’ve encouraged and the ethical way you go about your job.
You make me proud to be a Gooner.
Have your say on Arsene Wenger’s 13th anniversary by leaving a comment.
@Andy, nice touch, a fitting tribute to Wenger. I remember when he signed and all the talk was Wenger who. It seems that he was interviewed for the post when Bruce Rioch was signed but he got the job a year later. He has been fantastic for the club, I am old enough to remember the barren years which makes 4 years like a long weekend. May he stay for another 13 years.
Yeah SF.. I am proud to be a gooner! Arsene is an interesting and impressive manager. This season will have proofs to show!
Wenger is a wonderful coach with a total respect to players,and even the fans eventhough Adebayor misbehaved all players who have passed through wengers management are great
whatever wenger does he is the best.i believe in him,trust his decision so am going to stick with him no matter what happen on the field of play.u cannot get a better football elsewhere so why will i be against our very best coach ever.i love him, job and everything he does concerning the club.he is my best coach ever.i am marriage to arsenal for life my love for the club will never die
Thirteen years, some ups some downs. The thirteen years new style of football, new stadium, new training factilities, great players, the best playing surface increasing fan base and a great strategy. Wenger we love you, and we believe in you and the team.
prof. wenger, kudos.as a gunner, you have convinced me wholly that soccer is played at arsenal only and that is the reason why i will never cop with any kind of defeat inflicted on arsenal.
He has been with the club for 13 years and I have been a gooner for 31 years. It only proof that vintage people stick to the best in the world.
Hail Him,I join him in celebrating 13 yrs as an Arsenal fan.It must have been Wenger who prompted me to join the club coz of his brand of soccer and philosophy then.Lookin 4ward to another 13 yrs of Arsene n Arsenal,trophies aside(sorry)…
In Nigeria, we would say, three GBOSA (a local version of hurray)to the Gaffer himself.. GBOSA! GBOSA!! GBOSA!!! In AW we trust to deliver. He has done so much for Arsenal and England. I see him still in the club for many more years and I envisage he would be knighted very soon. Gbosa to SIR ARSENE WENGER!!
I agree totally with you SF AM PROUD TO BE A GOONER. I wish AW plenty of years as our beloved manager. In Arsène we trust.
Mr Wenger WE SALUTE U. Well done its thanks to him I love watchin and playin football. Gr8 man the best thing to ever happen to our club. May he be there for another 13 years.
nice one andy,although it was bruce rioch who captured bergy, it has been unbelievable what our manager has acheived in his time and i would also give mention to david dein who i think brought in wenger in what was a wenger type move plucking a talent from obcurity…so thank you david for taking a risk and delivering the man who revolutionised our club and the english modern game..wenger has made us a benchmark for how to play the game and i am proud to follow a team with such integrity and respect for how a club should operate on all fronts
thank you arsene and long may you lead us
No praise is high enough to pay tribute to not only the longest serving Arsenal manager but also by far and away the greatest.
As a supporter for almost sixty years, first visit to Highbury February 1950, I can remember some great times but also a lot of dross.
Arsene Wenger has taken our famous club onto the sunny uplands of the beautiful game and long may he remain to ensure a lasting legacy of excellence at Arsenal Football Club.
@ shambo – You’re right about Bergkamp but I was very careful to add the word “developed” to account for the Dutch master.
Cheers to the rest of you.
Im a 17yr old south african die hard ARSENAL supporter….i was only 4 years wen ARSENE WENGER took charge of the GUNNERS and i hope when im 24 years (thats when i’ll be playin 4 ARSENAL) he’l still be the gaffer…..IN ARSENE WE TRUST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@ Shambogunner,
Rioch may have been the manager at the time but Bergkamp was signed by David Dein on the recommendation of Wenger who, true to his ethics, would not break his contract in Japan.
KUDOS TO WENGER!
HE IS AN ARSENAL LEGEND!!
When i was a small boy just after Wenger had signed for Arsenal i was amazed that Arsenal’s managers name is Arsene and deep in me i thought this man must have been God send. We believe he will give us more trophies and i personally will always keep the faith in Arsenal.
in Germany it’s unimaginable that a coach stays for 10 years, I don’t know of that at least, I watch Arsenal since he bought Rosicky, I was impressed and delighted about your one-touch football, so you can say I brought you the ban of silverware, (maybe there’s really some truth in it), but I can’t help it, I live in Germany so you can’t kill me, nevertheless I wish him a trophy in his 13th year, (I think 13 is a good omen too), maybe I would prefer the cl title than the Premier League title, best both, I wish the team the luck and the nerves and the correct referee decisions for it, I think then they have a chance 🙂
how have I managed to get that smilie into the post?, I try and try and try, and then it happens by accident, 🙂 ??
I’ve got it! 🙂
mh, it’s the fourteenth year now, isn’t it? doesn’t matter!
I will be forever grateful to Arsene Wenger. I started following the Arsenal because of his philosophy of skillful, fluid, technical play as executed by “the three Musketeers” – Vieira, Henry and Petit. Long may Arsene rule at the Emirates!
Sir Alex Ferguson would not have been able to do what Arsene has done at Arsenal with his limited budget.
I REMEMBER ASKING A FRENCH GUY WHO I WORKED WITH 13 YEARS AGO WHO THE XXXX IS ARSENE WENGER AND PATRICK VIERA WHO TOLD ME WENGER WOULD BE A GREAT MANAGER AND VIERA WAS A CRACKING MIDFIELDER NOW THE WHOLE WORLD KNOWS HE WAS SPOT ON THANKS ARSENE FOR 13 YEARS OF WONDERFUL FOOTBALL AND MEMORIES AND MORE TO COME
@johnno
very interesting and that only makes me idolise wenger more as iv always believed it was rioch…another feather in arsenes cap so and arguably his greatest signing as regards to his impact on the club….wenger stay as long as you like and bring in dennis and groom him for the future
What should I say? nothing more than a big big big love for him. so proud to love him and our beloved club.
keep it up AW.come to think of it my birthday is usu April 13th,we must win something this season.
In Arsene we trust!
YA! BIG UPS FOR ARSEN. HIS NAME RESEMBLES THAT OF THE CLUB. I THINK IT IS THE REASON HE HAS PUT HIS WHOLE HEART IN THE CLUB. A CHAMPIONS LEAGUE TROPHY WOULD BE THE BEST WAY TO MARK THIS KIND OF ANNIVERSARY.
ESPECIALLY IN A LEAGUE WHERE A MANAGER CAN BE SACKED IN ONLY 6MONTHS TIME.
THANKS ARSEN. WE CONTINUE TO LOOK FORWARD FOR MORE THAT U GONNA OFFER FOR THE CLUB.
Happy 13th anniversary mr. Aw.
Yes Andy it fills like it was only yesurday when he took over the mamgers job 13 all good he has put the club where they are now more to come.
Am proud to be a gunner and proud to ave arsene wenger to be the coarch.long live the gunners!!!long live wenger!!!long live arsene’s13th anniversary with arsenals.”mema no ayikoo”(congrate)