Wenger credits ‘passion for the game’ for surviving 20 years at Arsenal
Arsene Wenger will hope to mark the 20th anniversary of his arrival at Arsenal this weekend with a fifth consecutive victory as the Gunners take on Burnley on Sunday, having put together a run of form that has lifted the clouds at the Emirates.
Arsenal have beaten Hull, Nottingham Forest, Chelsea and Basel in all competitions over the last fortnight and can head to the international break hot on the heels of Premier League leaders Manchester City if they
can beat Burnley at the weekend.
But despite their run of form, Wenger’s anniversary will be the main focal point as he celebrates 20 years at Arsenal on Saturday, although the 66-year-old has been keen to play down the feat in recent days.
Arsenal chairman Sir Chips Keswick was also in attendance at Wenger’s press conference on Friday, where he held a short presentation before Wenger adressed the media to present the Frenchman with a commemorative vase.
After handing out pens to the media to “only write nice things about the club”, Wenger opened by explaining who had been the biggest help during his 20 years in north London.
“The board, to stick by me,” he revealed. “I believe this club is brave. We have shown for years that we can have a good togetherness at the club. We keep our feet on the ground and fight together.
”I have a passion for the game and I always have the desire to be better tomorrow than yesterday.” He added: “It’s certainly unusual in the modern world. “I think stability is very important as well in a company and the values, people who cary the values.
“For me a big club is first about values and its identity and the privilege I have to carry these values is very unusual in the modern game.”
Wenger’s contract expires at the end of the season, and with the Frenchman linked with taking the England manager’s job following the unceremonious exit of Sam Allardyce this week, he was asked if there will be a 25th anniversary to look forward to.
"I don't know,” he added. “I rule nothing out because I want to work but it can end tomorrow. It's a love story.
“My priority is to do well here, this has always been my club but one day if I am free, why not, but at the moment I was focussed on my job.”