Wenger boys? Oh, yes we are!
MIKEL ARTETA reckons playing for Arsene Wenger had EVERYTHING to do with his desire to become a coach.
And he thinks it is exactly the same with a host of other managerial names, past and present, who also starred for the legendary Arsenal supremo.
Arteta argues that if you lined up for Wenger it is simply impossible not to have been inspired and influenced by the Frenchman’s ground-breaking methods.
Ahead of tomorrow’s visit of Patrick Vieira’s Palace, the Gunners boss said: “We were all guided and, in a way, felt a different way about the game because we had Arsene as a manager. He started a fire in us to be a coach. Not only me or Patrick, but in many others, with his way of treating everybody at the club and how he felt about the game.”
Whether you have the stomach to face constant, inevitable comparisons to your legendary former boss is a different matter, according to Arteta.
The Spaniard added: “You have no choice – or the choice to say, ‘No, I don’t want to take that job because they always compare him with me.’
“But if you know what you want to do and feel capable of achieving it for that club, it’s your decision to take it.”
Glenn Hoddle was Wenger’s first coaching disciple after being a part of his Monaco side in the early 90s.
From Wenger’s two decades at Arsenal, Arteta and Vieira are the latest in an everlengthening line that includes Thierry Henry, Sol Campbell, Remi Garde and Marc Overmars to name a few.
And next up could be Jack Wilshere as the ex-Gunners ace is currently keeping fit at his former club while completing his coaching badges. “He’s very interested, he’s trying to learn and finalise his badges – then it’s up to
Harry Pratt him what he wants,” said Arteta. Of course, Vieira was Arsenal skipper when Wenger’s Invincibles won the title in 2004 – the last time they were crowned English champions.
The midfielder’s exit to Juventus in 2005 was later followed by those of Henry, Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie.
So is it fair to trace the club’s failure to win the league since then right back to Vieira’s departure?
And could it be another 17 years before Arsenal lift the title again, given how far they have fallen behind?
Arteta said: “Well, hopefully not as it’s been a long, long time.
We have the example of Liverpool and how long they went without a title and that it’s achievable.
“I’m always positive to think there are different ways to do it and you can still become what you are dreaming of.
“You are talking about some of the best players in the world at that time.
“To replace that is almost impossible – the chemistry and understanding and how long they’d had all worked together was so great.”
Oh, no i’m not!
PATRICK VIEIRA says Arsene Wenger had NOTHING to do with his decision to go into management.
As the former France World Cup winner returns to North London tomorrow night, he does so with the glories of yesteryear still fresh in the minds of Gunners fans everywhere. It’s 25 years this week since Wenger and Vieira joined forces, sparking domestic glory that culminated in the unbeaten campaign of the Invincibles in 2004.
But instead of paying tribute to his ex-boss, Crystal Palace’s new supremo praised his erstwhile colleagues at Manchester City for igniting the passion to manage.
Asked if Wenger had a bearing on his managerial career, Vieira said: “Arsene didn’t – not really, no.
“When I started working with Arsene, I was 20 years old. He gave me the confidence to express myself. He made me grow as a person as well.
“He made me understand the mistakes I was making – and that these mistakes would make me a better person.
“But my decision to go into coaching came later, when I was at Manchester City.
“I was working with Garry Cook at the time and Brian Marwood. Those two guys made me understand I had a lot to give back and Brian, in particular, was fantastic for me.
“If I had someone to thank for the journey so far, it would be him.” Vieira
Reporting
remains a major part of the Gunners’ history and was Wenger’s on-pitch lieutenant during what was an astonishing spell of success.
And he was part of a small group of former players, along with Thierry Henry, who had thrown their weight behind the takeover attempt by Spotify bigwig Daniel Ek to buy the club from current owner Stan Kroenke earlier this year.
But Vieira admitted that is dead in the water saying that Kroenke “doesn’t want to sell”.
However, he says his connection with the club remains.
He added: “I don’t think the bond between us has stopped. It is something that will always be part of me.
“It was nine years – nine years where I was part of a generation who had success and nobody can write that off. It’s always going to be a part of me. That generation of players achieved something that’s always going to be part of the club. Fans will never forget that.
“Fans are always showing their appreciation for what that generation of players did for Arsenal Football Club.”
Vieira has won praise for the way the Eagles have started their campaign – although they have only won one league match so far.
With Mikel Arteta not entirely out of the woods as far as his own position is concerned, there are those who would see the man sitting in the opposition dugout as the heir apparent.
Vieira said: “It’s really great to get praise about the way we play but in the end, it’s not enough.
“We want to win football matches.”