A glorious Gunners revolutionary

Wenger altered team culture but couldn’t sustain momentum in the last decade of his reign

LONDON: When Arsenal appointed Arsene Wenger as manager in 1996 there were no shortage of sceptics. “At first, I thought, what does this Frenchman know about football? He wears glasses and looks more like a schoolteacher. He’s not going to be as good as (previous manager) George Graham. Does he even speak English properly?” former captain Tony Adams recalled.

But Arsenal players and fans didn’t have to wait long to feel the impact. Even before Wenger officially took over, he was shaping a revolution, instructing vicechairman David Dein to buy Patrick Vieira and Emmanuel Petit. Wenger then set about altering the culture that was most traditionally English, changing diets, training methods and playing style.

Wenger understood there was plenty that English football could learn from France. Fullbacks Lee Dixon and Nigel Winterburn and central defenders Adams and Steve Bould provided the foundation for a side that boasted the brilliant Dennis Bergkamp and Ian Wright.

Introduction of French forward Nicolas Anelka and Dutch winger Marc Overmars helped Arsenal win the 1998 Premier League and FA Cup double -- their first since 1971. With Manchester United winning three consecutive titles from 1999, an intense rivalry bloomed between Wenger and United boss Alex Ferguson.

In 1999, came the most inspired signing of Thierry Henry who went on to become the club’s record goal-scorer. But with Arsenal facing tighter budgets due to the move to the Emirates Stadium, Wenger struggled to compete with big-spending Chelsea and United. He put his faith in young players, but his later years were frustrating for fans due to the failure to challenge for the league title.