BRAVO WENGER

ARSENE Wenger is a legend in his own right and no one can dispute that. The Gunners will lose one of their most decorated and the longest serving manager, come next season (‘Wenger pulls the trigger on Gunners,’ April 21, The Gulf Today).

The Frenchman deserves praise for bringing Arsenal out from the doldrums when he took over the reins in 1996. During his 21-year tenure, Arsenal won 17 trophies, more than the next two Arsenal managers combined and that is easier said than done. Setting about a revolution in English football by overhauling players’ diets and bringing an end to the drinking culture that had dogged the club, he got down to business right from the irst whistle. And it brought in a rich harvest as his side beat the all-conquering Manchester United side to the title and snatched a FA Cup double in 1998, before repeating the feat four years later.

But after an incredible 19 successive years in the Champions League, Arsenal, in sixth place in the Premier League, could miss out for the second consecutive year after a disappointing league campaign, a reason, some say, could be behind his decision to part ways. His departure as expected prompted a string of glowing tributes from across the football world but it also got the rumour mills turning as to where he is headed next.

As for me, it was always a thrill to watch Wenger in the dugout and of course the high-proile feuds with his age-old nemesis Jose Mourinho and Man Utd boss Sir Alex Ferguson, who incidentally was at the helm for two decades at the Club, prior to Wenger’s entry.

All said and done it will be a task and a tough one too, for the one who will take his seat in the dugout next season. Peter Ryan

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