Arsene Wenger is the longest serving boss in the Premier League. He has seen highs, lows, and everything in between during the last 20 years. He has also done a number of remarkable things while at the helm. Coaching them through the ‘invincibles’ season, for instance. Or overseeing a smooth transition to a shiny new stadium, without putting the club in economic meltdown, and making sure of their Champions League status all the way, for another.
What ‘Le Professeur’ will most be remembered for, however, is his ability to identify talented players hidden deep in the land of nowhere, nurture their potential, and turn them into Premier League superstars.
There have been flops over the years – Denilson and Nicklas Bendtner are fine (or not so fine) examples of that – but even the most talented artist’s paintbrush wavers from time to time. Keeping in mind that scouting great players at a young age is as hard a job as any in football, we look at the 5 finest players Arsene Wenger has given the Footballing World:
#5 Kolo Toure
Kolo Toure was born in Bouake, Ivory Coast, in 1981. He began his professional career at Ivorian club Mimosas and played there for 3 years before Arsene Wenger came calling in 2002, with an offer of a trial at Arsenal. Contrary to intuition, Kolo Toure had a horrible trial, first taking down future teammates Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp, before lunging in two footed at coach Arsene Wenger himself.
Wenger was then taken to the medical room for treatment, and Kolo Toure was almost in tears, thinking that he had ruined his one chance to play for a great European Club. Arsene Wenger had other ideas, however, and told his staff “We are signing him tomorrow. I like his desire.”
Even though Kolo Toure didn’t show the best of himself at the trial, Wenger thought that with a little bit of polishing, Toure would turn into a top class defender and shine like a diamond. And he was right. Kolo Toure formed a formidable partnership with Sol Campbell at the centre of Arsenal’s defence as they went the 2003-04 season undefeated. He went on to make 326 appearances for the club over 7 trophy-laden years, scoring 14 goals.
He became one of the best African defenders under Wenger, and certainly justified the Frenchman’s faith in him.
#4 Freddy Ljungberg
Karl Fredrik Ljungberg commonly referred to as “Freddy” Ljungberg, was a little-known 21-year-old winger playing for Halmstads BK, to most of the world in 1999. But the omniscient Arsene Wenger decided to sign the then young creative player for £3 million.
Wenger had previously told scouts to keep an eye on Ljungberg, but after watching the player’s performance for Sweden against England, Wenger was convinced he could play against British opposition. He authorised the signing shortly after the game. Ljungberg’s impact was instant, and he scored on his debut against Manchester United, after coming on as a substitute.
Wenger’s signing was proving crucial, as Ljungberg posed a deadly combination of wingers with Robert Pires plying his trade on the let and the Swede taking charge on the right.. Ljungberg scored regularly and helped Arsenal win the double that year. He was also an integral part of Arsenal’s ‘invincibles’ season and won a total of 8 major trophies with the North London club including 2 Premier League titles, 3 FA cups, and 3 FA Charity Shields.
In 2008, arsenal.com’s 50 greatest Arsenal players placed him in 11th position.
All in all, he made 313 appearances for the Gunners and has a certain place in Gunners’ folklore. Arsene Wenger had delivered again.
#3 Laurent Koscielny
When Arsenal were playing Champions League football in 2008, 23-year-old Laurent Koscielny was kicking balls into stands Ligue 2 with Tours, a club in France. Little did he know then that Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger had eyes in those stands, watching his every move. When it became apparent that Wenger needed a new centre-back in 2010, Wenger turned to Koscielny, who had progressed to Ligue 1 with Lorient.
It hardly seemed an inspiring signing at the time, with many pundits mocking Arsene Wenger’s choice. They were made to eat their words, however, with Koscielny putting in solid performance after solid performance, as he cemented his place in Arsenal’s backline.
Over the years, Koscielny has matured into one of the finest centre-backs in the world, with great tactical nous, physical prowess, and pace to match the quickest of strikers around. He has been indispensable for Arsenal and has even gone on to be the club’s vice-captain. He has so far made 252 appearances for the club, scoring 21 goals, winning 4 major trophies in that time. He has in his trophy collection, 2 FA Cups, and 2 Charity Shields.
Koscielny, being only 31 years old, still has a couple of years at the highest level left, given good management, and Arsene Wenger will certainly give Koscielny that.
#2 Patrick Vieira
Before Patrick Vieira joined Arsenal, captained them, and announced himself as one of the best midfielders in the world, he was a struggling player in Milan’s reserves, making only 2 first team appearances. Before that he played for French club Cannes. Nobody but Arsene Wenger could foresee what he would become – a physical specimen few could match for strength and pace, complimenting a footballing brain and technique that marked him out as a special talent.
This curious combination of skill and strength, along with furious desire to make it as a great footballer made Patrick Vieira perfect for the hustle and bustle of the Premier League. And boy did he take the Premier League by storm.
He was the thunder to Thierry Henry’s lightening, and the duo formed the backbone of Arsene Wenger’s team to titles galore. His battles with then Manchester United hardman and skipper Roy Keane is stuff of legends and another Premier League midfield legend Frank Lampard once conceded that Vieira was his toughest opponent.
Vieira won a total of 11 major trophies with Arsenal, and it is a testament to his worth that, though there have been many pretenders to try, Arsenal are still struggling to replace the French midfielder to this day.
#1 Thierry Henry
The greatest striker to play in North London, and arguably the greatest to grace the Premier League, Thierry Henry has a statue at the home of the Gunners as a tribute everything he did for them.
Even though Henry had a tentative start to his career at Monaco, Wenger persisted with him and he won the ‘French Young Footballer’ award in 1996. His sparkling performances in the Champions League led to a call-up to the French national squad and he was a part of the World Cup-winning team in 1998. Henry, then a winger, joined Juventus from Monaco and his move did not go according to plan.
He was playing on the left wing, and his performances were poor. This led to him being almost written off as a player by the press.
Arsene Wenger, who knew of Henry’s potential from his time at Monaco, brought the pacy forward to North London, and converted the former wingman into a pure centre forward. The rest, as they say, is history. After taking a few games to warm up and settle down, Henry lit up the Premier League. The goals came pouring down like the proverbial English rain, and there was a hint of majesty to everything he did.
Henry scored a number of breathtaking goals of all types, and was, at his peak was the most complete striker in the world – strong, silky touch, clinical finishing, and so fast that if you blinked, he was gone. He ended up with a number of honours including 2 Premier Leagues, 3 FA cups, and 2 Community Sheilds.
He played a big part in the fabled 2003-04 season where Arsenal finished unbeaten, and he also won 4 Golden Boots with the Gunners.
And the man who gave Thierry Henry his debut? Arsene Wenger. The man who rescued Henry from his tough spell at Juventus? Arsene Wenger.
The man who converted him to a Center Forward? Arsene Wenger.
