Daily Bits and Bobs

Twenty years for Arsene Wenger but no Premier League title for twelve of them!

Posted on by rico

Morning all.

Twenty years ago, Arsene Who? became Arsenal’s new manager. Very few knew much about the man from France, but David Dein did and having failed in his attempt to get him to Arsenal the previous summer, in 1996 he got his man.

It wasn’t long before we Arsenal fans realised why David Dein was so keen to sign him up either. Arsenal changed. Diet, training, a new style of football and signings which like Arsene, not many of us had heard of, but soon turned Arsenal into winners again. Denis Bergkamp was already at the club but after the sacking of Bruce Rioch, he considered leaving, although once Arsene had been confirmed, such thoughts soon disappeared…..

From 1996 through to 2005, Arsenal were always there or thereabouts at the top of the league table. In the Cups too we often did very well, certainly the domestic ones but perhaps the one major regret of the Frenchman’s will be reaching just one Champions League Final and not managing to win it.

PL Champions –  1997–98, 2001–02, 2003–04.

FA Cup –  1997–98, 2001–02, 2002–03, 2004–05, 2013–14, 2014–15.

FA Charity Shield –  1998, 1999, 2002, 2004, 2014, 2015.

Europe – nothing!

The great players we’ve had at Arsenal since Arsene Wenger arrived is a list too long to type, mind you, so is the number of duffers he’s signed over the years but that’s by the by now, nothing can be done about that. Plenty of other managers sign rubbish players too but the annoying thing with Arsene is, he struggles to let them go despite how bad they are. Equally, he’s let a few go too soon and the one that still sticks in my mind is Robert Pires but again, nothing can be done about that now either.

Our success under Arsene Wenger came at Highbury and long before Stan Kroenke arrived on the scene and perhaps a lot of that was down to David Dein, the man who wasn’t afraid of spending money on the players his manager wanted, many who as said, were hardly known. £500k on Anelka was hardly a risk was it and he wasn’t the only bargain the club snapped up back then.

Highbury – the good time for Arsene and Arsenal.

Then came the big move to The Emirates and the rest is history….

But you know, for all the so-called failings over the last ten years, Arsenal are the only club to have been in the Champions League every season which I know means little to most of us but for the club, it was important during the stadium move. The European money was much needed and unlike Chelsea, Utd, City etc, Arsenal didn’t and still don’t have an owner who throws money around just because he can, and in Arsene, Kroenke probably knows ‘his club’ is in safe hands. Financially anyway.

Arsenal are heavily criticised by the media, pundits, sports writers, in fact anyone in football who likes to speak when a microphone is shoved in front of them. Arsenal, who haven’t won a trophy in ex amount of years…. was the old adage, which of course had to be adjusted to Arsenal haven’t won the league for ex amount of years…. once we won the FA Cup in 2014 and again in 2015 but how many other ‘big clubs’ clubs have won it during our baron years?

todays-squad

Everton haven’t won a trophy since 1995, Liverpool haven’t won a title since 1990, Tottenham haven’t won it either and since the beginning of time, so that’s just three and Liverpool are a massive club. Recently, Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool, Manchester City and Tottenham have all had seasons when finishing outside the top 4 meant no Champions League. Meanwhile, Arsene Wenger and Arsenal, haven’t.

There’s a lot to be grateful, thankful about Arsene Wenger, there really is but much of his great work on the pitch was a long time ago. Nowadays, most other clubs have caught up with all the good things he brought into English football but the Frenchman hasn’t taken the next step to ensure he remains ahead of them. Younger coaches are appearing in the game with their own fresh ideas and tactical know how and soon, most will overtaking Arsene. Some already have. But despite their new ideas, it’ll be a long time before one of them keeps their club in the top four for twenty years running. In fact I doubt anyone will, after all, which other club would stand by a manager for so long having not won the league for……… years?

Maybe he’ll finally put that to bed this season with possibly the best squad he’s had for years at his disposal.

Then he can go and put his feet up, have a nice glass of red wine and toast his retirement.

But I think we know he won’t…..

rico

42 thoughts on “Twenty years for Arsene Wenger but no Premier League title for twelve of them!”

  2. Robin van Bergkamp says:

    Indeed he has done much and even during the course of our financially-strapped years but as you suggest, we have not progressed, not been sufficiently innovative to the extent that we are getting left behind, running the risk of negating all those years of good work, consigning them into the distant memory. Time moves matters on and things change and it is time Arsene Wenger cracked open a good bottle of Burgundy and toasted his retirement… before he pulls the cork on one and laments the lost years.

  5. potter says:

    He has been talking about it for some time. I doubt that the board that were reluctant to talk to Kroenke would be in favour as this time there is no personal financial gain for them.

  7. kelsey says:

    Mr Dangote must have had a word with Kanu.

    Wenger was a great manager when mobile phones looked like bricks.

    Enough is enough but if we win a trophy or two this season he goes out with his head held high.

  8. scottfromoz says:

    Kelsey, the perfect time was May 2014, IMO, but let’s hope he surprises a few people and wins the League this season, and goes.
    I’m more confident right now than I was this time last season, and certainly more than I was a month ago.
    IMO, we have one danger, Citeh.
    Get the best of them, and we will do it, I reckon.
    Big if but hey, it’s a long season ahead.
    Morning all.

  9. rico says:

    Just one would do me kelsey, the PL. lol

    Get the best of City Scott? Have you watched them…. lol

    Seriously, their defence is shaky and their keeper is a tiddler so Xhaka’s high and powerful shots might be a bonus…. 😉

  10. Marshall says:

    I hope he takes a bow on a high. True he has propelled the arsenal to greater heights. A cocktail of injuries and his stubbornness haven’t been helpful in us winning the league for a while but we all hope that ends soon.

    Mr.Dangote buying arsenal? I think he won’t have much patience as Stan with a non-performing manager.

  25. STV says:

    Hi Rico, all good I hope..

    Yes 20 years of Wenger! What started as a surprise turned in to a dream then a long lasting nightmare.

    It’s sad the way Wenger era is ending. We should get back to our title winning days ASAP.

  28. STV says:

    All good Rico. Back to your blog after long time 🙂

    I am genuinely disappointed with Arsene Wenger I have to say. This year’s squad looks promising but City looks much stronger!

  30. Marshall says:

    Rico, that Reading game must have been really ecstatic. 2nd most thrilling game after last season’s Leicester win.

    You must have been feeling low when we were 4 nil down :p

  31. rico says:

    I was Marshall, especially as my family are all Reading ST holders and gave me a lift to the match…. The journey home would have been a lot different… Lol

    Great game though, once the final whistle had blown…

  37. Malaga gooner says:

    Morning Rico and all

    I fancy us against the chavs… We will never a better opportunity..

    It’s time for Wenger to get it right

  38. Adam says:

    I just read Mourinho’s words. What an absolute piece of shit that idiot is. Man Utd must be proud to have such a cretin as their manager.

  41. Marshall says:

    How is it that pigmy always wants to rain on Wenger’s parade. Couldn’t they have chose another day to release the freaking book. Only when it’s Wenger’s 20th anniversary. That scum isn’t even worth our time.

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