An ode to Arsene Wenger: 17 years in charge

17 years ago a man had a vision, a vision that would change the dynamic of a club and bring that quality to it that had been missing for some time. When this manager put pen to paper, nobody knew the impact he would have on the club, on the players as well as on the fans. And now, more than a decade and a half later, he is one of the most respected people in the world of football, and a tactician who’s methods people can never figure out.

On leaving his managerial role at Nagoya Grampus, the reception he got from the supporters made it evident on what a personality he was.

He stayed focused as he had one thing in mind- to get the Highbury wagon back on track. Within a period of two years, the club had won a league and cup double. This was followed by appearances in the UEFA Cup final a couple of years from then and an FA cup final a year later. As we know, this was followed by the “Invincibles” season where the team went unbeaten throughout the season.

Even though statistics would tell you he is the most successful manager in Arsenal‘s history having won 11 trophies since his appointment, let’s take a look at what kind of a manager he is, as a person as well as his game on the field.

The main aim during his reign has always been to try and play beautiful football. Initially challenging Liverpool and Manchester United for the title, he managed to come out strong with the players he had. Having people like Bergkamp at his disposal, he signed to-be legend Thiery Henry whom he knew from his managerial spell at Monaco. Also attracting people like Vieira, Pires and Reyes, he was building his squad that would be touted as the best in a few years. Such was the belief he had in his players and his convincing powers, that it made almost any layer he talk to, consider moving to the club. Being multilingual, players from different nationalites feel comfortable around him and finds his words to be extremely genuine.

It is a known fact that Wenger has always promoted the youth system. Even currently with first team players out, he’s giving 16 and 17 years old a chance to play against top oppositions where they’re surprisingly managing to do well. Stop and think for a moment and you would realize why. It is the backing that he gives each and one of them- its the faith and belief that’s put into them that makes them perform well on the big stage.

However much he may be criticized for this, he’s also appreciated for doing it the right way. Most would argue that he’s stingy and that;s what makes Arsenal only a top 4 club. But, what he has in mind is what people don’t choose to see. He knows there would be a time when he would have to bid adieu, and so he wants all the funds to be available for his successor to make it an easy job for him.

We see at least one top quality player leave every season and while we supporters shower all our hatred on the players, he doesn’t. He believes the player has the right to choose whether he wants to continue and if he wishes to go, he sees through the deal with no complications. While other managers choose to come out and call for loyalty from the player, he never does anything that would put him in two minds. This could be touted as a negative quality but probably he believes that everyone the pitch should be fully committed to the cause or there’s no scope for winning.

Players like Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas, one claimed a traitor and the other, the loved one, both consider Wenger as a father figure. In fact anyone who leaves, never has anything bad to say about the manager which is a very rare thing in football. Recently, while we were all alarmed with the big money transfer for Ozil, we saw how the Real Madrid owner bad mouthed about the player after the Galacticos faithful resented his decision. On the other side, we have Wenger who called up the player and convinced him that he needed to be in a better place and needed a manager who trusts and puts his faith in him. When a player has such contrasting scenarios, how can he not move?

Even though the media has used his case to earn a few extra bucks, given that he hasn’t had any success in the past eight years, he has managed to silence them whenever he’s had an opportunity.

There were hard times when banners like “Wenger Out” adorned the stadium, but he stayed put. He was not going to bail on a team during its hard times. He picked the team back up, won it’s supporters over and is currently having a phenomenal time.Sitting atop the Premier League table as well as the group of death, there seems to be nothing that can stop him, could this be his season?

We shall see.