Arsène Wenger

Arsène Charles Ernest Wenger{{cite journal |date=14 July 2002 |title=Décret du 12 juillet 2002 portant promotion et nomination |trans-title=Decree of 12 July 2002 on promotion and appointment |url=https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jorf/id/JORFTEXT000000597017 |journal=Official Journal of the French Republic |volume=2002 |issue=163 |id=PREX0205724D |access-date=12 October 2024 |language=fr}} was born on 22 October 1949 in Strasbourg, Alsace, the youngest of three children born to Alphonse and Louise Wenger. He lived in Duppigheim during the 1950s, but spent most of his time in the neighbouring village of Duttlenheim, {{convert|10|mi|km|abbr=in|order=flip}} south-west of Strasbourg.{{sfnp|Rees|2014|p=11}}{{sfnp|Palmer|2008|p=9}} Arsène's father, Alphonse, like many Alsatians, was conscripted into the German Army by force following Germany's earlier annexation of the French region of Alsace-Lorraine.{{cite news |title=Wenger emerges from cruel past |first=Owen |last=Slot |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/wenger-emerges-from-cruel-past-smp6txqblv6 |newspaper=The Times |date=9 August 2004 |access-date=11 December 2012}} {{subscription required}} He was sent to fight on the Eastern Front in October 1944, at the age of 24.

The Wenger family owned an automobile spare parts business and a bistro named La Croix d'Or.{{cite news |title=Inside the mind of Arsene Wenger (excerpt from Wenger: The Making of a Legend by Jasper Rees) |first=Jasper |last=Rees |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2003/aug/18/sport.comment |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=18 August 2003 |access-date=5 May 2008}} In his book, My Life in Red and White, Wenger says the "alcohol, brawling and violence" of the bistro's patrons sparked his early interest in human psychology.{{cite web |author=Guardian Staff |date=11 October 2020 |title=Arsène Wenger: 'I try to read everything that helps me understand human beings' |url=http://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/oct/11/arsene-wenger-arsenal-manager-football |access-date=11 October 2020 |website=The Guardian}} His parents had difficulty looking after their children, but Duttlenheim was a village where everyone took care of the young; Wenger compared it in later years to a kibbutz. Before Wenger started school, he expressed himself in the local Alsatian dialect of Low Alemannic German.{{sfnp|Long|2005|p=210}} The primary school which Wenger attended was run by the Catholic Church,{{sfnp|Rees|2014|p=12}} and as one of its brightest students, he later was accepted into a secondary school in Obernai.{{sfnp|Rees|2014|p=13}}

According to his father, who also managed the village team, Wenger was introduced to football "at about the age of six".{{cite news |title=Voila votre vie!; How a postcard led to a beautiful friendship |first=David |last=Bond |page=71 |newspaper=London Evening Standard |date=15 May 1998}} He was taken to games in Germany, where he held an affection for Borussia Mönchengladbach.{{sfnp|Palmer|2008|p=9}} Alsace was an area steeped in religion; Wenger and the village boys often needed to seek permission from the Catholic priest to miss vespers in order to play football.{{sfnp|Palmer|2008|pp=9–10}}

Because the population of Duttlenheim was short in numbers, it proved difficult to field a team of 11 players of equal ages; Wenger did not play for FC Duttlenheim until the age of 12.{{sfnp|Palmer|2008|p=10}} Claude Wenger, a teammate of Arsène's, noted his lack of pace as a player, which he made up for with his "ability to guard the ball, [seeming] to have a complete vision of the pitch and having an influence among his team-mates", according to Marcel Brandner, the president of FC Duttlenheim. As a young teenager, he was called Petit; the nickname ceased when he had a growth spurt and broke into FC Duttlenheim's first team, aged 16.{{sfnp|Rees|2014|pp=13–4}} The team did not have a coach to prepare the players tactically, rather a person who supervised training sessions.{{sfnp|Rees|2014|p=14}} Wenger took it upon himself to manage the side, with Claude stating "Arsène wasn't the captain and yet he was. It was 'You do this, you do that, you do this, you do that.' He was the leader".{{sfnp|Rees|2014|p=14}}

File:Gilbert Gress, 1980.jpg]]

In 1969, Wenger was recruited to nearby third division club Mutzig.{{sfnp|Rees|2014|pp=15–6}} The club was famed for playing the "best amateur football" in Alsace and managed by Max Hild, who would later go on to become Wenger's mentor. Wenger's emergence at Mutzig aged 20 was considered too late for him to build a reputable playing career.{{sfnp|Rivoire|2011|p=18}} Football was not seen as his future; the plan was for him to run the family's spare parts business. He was, however, of the age to start increasing his tactical knowledge of the sport.{{sfnp|Rivoire|2011|p=18}} He frequently read France Football and alongside Hild made trips to Germany to watch Bundesliga matches and observe the different managerial styles.{{sfnp|Rivoire|2011|p=18}}{{sfnp|Rees|2014|p=15}} During Wenger's three years at Mutzig, the club beat Strasbourg 3–0 to win the Coupe d'Alsace.{{sfnp|Rees|2014|p=17}}{{cite web |url=http://www.as-mutzig.fr/spip.php?rubrique2 |title=Historique |language=fr |website=AS Mutzig.fr. |access-date=7 November 2017 |archive-date=28 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180828070612/http://as-mutzig.fr/spip.php?rubrique2 |url-status=dead }} He also represented Alsace in a competition held annually between the regional leagues.{{sfnp|Rees|2014|p=21}}

Wenger took his studies further, and in 1971 enrolled at the {{ill|Faculté des sciences économiques et de gestion|fr|Faculté des sciences économiques et de gestion de Strasbourg|vertical-align=sup}} (Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences) at the University of Strasbourg to read politics and economics after a brief stint in medicine.{{sfnp|Rees|2014|pp=15–6}} In 1973 he joined semi-professional club Mulhouse and balanced his football career with his education.{{sfnp|Rees|2014|p=21}}{{sfnp|Rivoire|2011|p=19}} Wenger completed an economics degree{{refn|The academic degree awarded to Wenger is ambiguous. Several publications, such as The Independent and The Economist have commented that he completed a master's degree (maîtrise) in economics (sciences économiques).{{cite news |title=Arsene Wenger: 'Am I too intelligent to be a football manager? You can never be intelligent enough' |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/arsene-wenger-am-i-too-intelligent-to-be-a-football-manager-you-can-never-be-intelligent-enough-1919257.html |newspaper=The Independent |location=London |first=Charles |last=Nevin |date=13 March 2010 |access-date=15 May 2012}}{{cite news |title=Game for geeks |url=http://www.economist.com/node/14209514 |newspaper=The Economist |date=13 August 2009 |access-date=18 May 2012}} Others, such as French magazine FF Sport U imply that Wenger was awarded a Licence.{{cite journal |date=April 2006 |title=Sport U Magazine |journal=FF Sport U |issue=97 |pages=4–5 |url=http://www.sport-u.com/cmsms/uploads/file/mag/revue_97.pdf |access-date=18 May 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120815092954/http://www.sport-u.com/cmsms/uploads/file/mag/revue_97.pdf |archive-date=15 August 2012}} The Sunday Mirror state that he holds an additional degree in electrical engineering, but no such information is given on his Arsenal profile or shared in publicised interviews.{{cite news |title=Mowbray would love to emulate Wenger but he's racing a Porsche in a Mini |url=https://www.questia.com/read/1G1-206414627 |newspaper=Sunday Mirror |location=London |first=Ray |last=Hepburn |date=23 August 2009 |access-date=15 May 2012 }}{{Dead link|date=April 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{subscription required}} Wenger is also said to have spent a six-month placement at Stanford University, according to the Evening Standard, who interviewed his parents.|group=nb}} a year later.{{cite news |title=Just be there! |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-17706642.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140610222250/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-17706642.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=10 June 2014 |newspaper=The Malay Mail |location=Kuala Lumpur |first=Tony |last=Mariadass |date=19 May 1999 |access-date=15 May 2012}} {{subscription required}} He was selected to represent the national French students squad and visited Nigeria, Lebanon, and Uruguay – where the World Students Championship was held in 1976.{{sfnp|Rivoire|2011|p=20}} Wenger did not participate in the event as he was injured; Jean-Luc Arribart, captain of the team recalled: "By the end of that trip, Arsène had almost taken on the role of assistant coach and team joker rolled into one."{{sfnp|Oldfield|2010|p=10}}

File:Arsène Wenger (1979, RC Strasbourg).jpg of Wenger with Strasbourg in 1979. Issued by Panini.]]

At Mulhouse, Wenger was managed by Paul Frantz, who also had a profound impact on his career. It was he who formalised Wenger's beliefs on the importance of nutrition, isometrics and working on a player's strong points.{{sfnp|Rees|2014|pp=24–5}} Wenger played in midfield for Mulhouse, often positioned on the right. In their final game of the 1974–75 season, the club beat Nancy to avoid relegation, but shortly afterwards, Frantz resigned.{{sfnp|Rees|2014|p=26}} Wenger also made the decision to leave, as the regular commutes to Mulhouse from Strasbourg overwhelmed him.{{sfnp|Rees|2014|p=26}} In 1975, he rekindled his friendship with Hild and signed for amateur club ASPV Strasbourg (Vauban).{{sfnp|Rees|2014|p=26}} Hild needed a midfielder "who could organise play and also have a sort of hold over the team" and decided to recruit Wenger.{{sfnp|Rees|2014|p=26}} Vauban was formed in 1971, and made steady progress up the French football league system thereafter; Wenger's three seasons at the club culminated with promotion to the third division.{{sfnp|Rees|2014|pp=26–7}}

File:Arsène Wenger, 1980, 2.jpg

In 1978, Hild joined Strasbourg as coach of the reserve team.{{sfnp|Rees|2014|p=28}} The role required him to scout, so Hild wanted an experienced player to work with the youth while he was away.{{sfnp|Rees|2014|p=28}} Both Hild and Frantz recommended Wenger, which convinced manager Gilbert Gress to appoint him.{{sfnp|Rivoire|2011|p=24}} Wenger's playing career at the age of 28 began to wane, but he never anticipated a role in the first team. Working for Strasbourg, however, presented him his first full-time job at the club he supported as a young boy.{{sfnp|Rees|2014|p=28}} Hild moved Wenger from midfield to central defence, where he was positioned as a sweeper in reserve games.{{sfnp|Rees|2014|p=28}} In November 1978, he made his debut for the first team against MSV Duisburg in the UEFA Cup (a match Strasbourg lost 4–0) and a month later, Wenger played against champions Monaco in the First Division.{{sfnp|Rees|2014|p=30}} At the end of the 1978–79 season, RC Strasbourg won the league; Wenger did not join in the celebrations as he was preoccupied with the youth team.{{sfnp|Rivoire|2011|p=26}} He made his final appearance for the senior side in 1979.{{sfnp|Oldfield|2010|p=13}}

Wenger spent the last two years of his playing career predominantly running Strasbourg's reserve and youth team. He became conscious of the importance of speaking English, and during his holidays enrolled on a three-week language course at the University of Cambridge.{{sfnp|Palmer|2008|p=11}} Wenger also studied for his coaching badge at the {{ill|Centre de ressources, d'expertise et de performance sportives|fr|vertical-align=sup}} (CREPS) in Strasbourg – this consisted of a course to coach children, followed by an intensive six-day course which led up to the national coaching badge.{{sfnp|Rees|2014|pp=33–4}} The latter programme took place in Vichy, and was spread over three weeks, allowing Wenger to be able to put Frantz's teachings of isometrics into practice.{{sfnp|Rivoire|2011|p=27}} In 1981, he received his manager's diploma in Paris.{{cite news |title=Profile: Arsene Wenger |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/1954876.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=30 April 2002 |access-date=15 July 2014}}

Wenger's management skills at Strasbourg impressed many French coaches, and he moved to Ligue 2 club Cannes in 1983, where he became Jean-Marc Guillou's assistant.{{sfnp|Oldfield|2010|p=14}} Earning a steady wage of £300 per week, he was responsible for collecting information about opposition teams, and instilled discipline in the players through training sessions.{{sfnp|Oldfield|2010|pp=14–5}} Wenger's commitment to football was well documented; when asked what the young coach did during his spare time, general manager Richard Conte replied: "Videos, videos, videos. He was always watching videos of his opponents, of his own team. It didn't matter what time of night."{{sfnp|Rees|2014|p=40}} Cannes failed to win promotion to Ligue 1, but they reached the quarter-finals of the Coupe de France.{{sfnp|Oldfield|2010|p=15}} Wenger's work in raising the standard of the squad did not go unnoticed, and in 1984, he accepted Aldo Platini's offer to become manager of Nancy.{{sfnp|Palmer|2008|p=12}}

File:George Weah 2019 (cropped).jpg winner George Weah played under Wenger at Monaco, where he won the Coupe de France.]]

The challenge of sustaining Nancy as a Ligue 1 club was difficult as Wenger inherited a squad of sub-standard quality and he was given limited money to spend.{{sfnp|Oldfield|2010|p=16}} He nevertheless relished the prospect of conducting business in the transfer market, and enjoyed freedom to trial theories he read about.{{sfnp|Oldfield|2010|p=16}} In his first season at Nancy, Wenger hired a dietician to explain the benefits of healthy eating and made it imperative that players did not snack before games.{{sfnp|Rees|2014|p=46}} He took the squad away from their usual summer training camp to Val Thorens, so that the players could acclimatise to the high-altitude.{{sfnp|Rees|2014|p=46}} Platini attested the move to their strong league starts.{{sfnp|Rees|2014|p=46}} From a managerial perspective, Wenger struggled to keep his emotions in check; losing made him "physically sick", to the point where he once stopped the team bus to vomit after a game.{{sfnp|Rees|2014|p=40}} Wenger guided the club to a respectable 12th-place finish, all the more surprising given he constantly tinkered his team.{{sfnp|Oldfield|2010|p=16}} Players were moved out of their favoured positions, which for some maximised their potential.{{sfnp|Oldfield|2010|p=16}} Éric Bertrand, a striker signed from the lower divisions, was converted into a fullback, and by the end of Wenger's time at Nancy, Éric Di Meco switched from a left winger to wing back.{{sfnp|Rees|2014|p=47}}

File:Ramón Díaz (25383125054) (2) (cropped).jpg came to Monaco under Wenger in 1989.]]

Nancy's bottom-half finish proved a false dawn as the club finished 18th in the 1985–86 season, which meant they had to win a play-off match to avoid relegation. They retained their league status with a 3–2 aggregate win against Mulhouse.{{Sfnp|Rees|2014|p=48}} The club however sold several of their best players to avoid financial predicament and provided Wenger with little funds to work with.{{sfnp|Rees|2014|p=49}}{{sfnp| Oldfield|2010|p=17}} In Wenger's final season in charge, Nancy finished 19th and were relegated to Ligue 2.{{sfnp|Oldfield|2010|p=17}} Despite the setbacks, he was contacted by Monaco over their vacant managerial job.{{sfnp|Rees|2014|p=50}} Talks had begun during the summer of 1986, but Nancy chairman Gérard Rousselot refused to release Wenger from his contract, and Monaco were not prepared to offer compensation.{{sfnp|Rees|2014|p=50}}{{cite web|url=https://www.footballscotland.co.uk/features/long-reads/aberdeens-eric-black-moving-metz-16123215|title=Aberdeen's Eric Black on moving to Metz and how that night in Paris was as good as Gothenburg|website=Football Scotland|date=16 April 2019|access-date=17 August 2020}} Once Nancy's relegation was confirmed, Wenger was permitted to leave the club by mutual consent and was confirmed as Monaco manager in 1987.{{sfnp|Palmer|2008|p=12}}

Before joining Monaco, Wenger had identified several players to build his desired team.{{sfnp|Rivoire|2011|pp=35–6}} Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Glenn Hoddle, granted a free transfer, and Patrick Battiston, out of contract at Bordeaux, were signed.{{sfnp|Rivoire|2011|pp=35–6}} Striker Mark Hateley left Milan to join Monaco and was "encouraged to learn" that his fellow Englishman Hoddle would play in the same side as him.{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=92dibTyUbo0C&pg=PA12 |title=The Professor: Arsène Wenger |pages=12–13 |first=Myles |last=Palmer |publisher=Random House |date=31 March 2011 |isbn=978-0-7535-4661-1}} Monaco won the league in Wenger's debut season, six points ahead of runners-up Bordeaux.{{cite web |url=http://www.ligue1.com/ligue1/classement?saison=56 |publisher=Ligue 1 |access-date=18 July 2012 |title=Saison 1987/1988 Ligue 1}} Although the team scored more goals in 1988–89 due to the purchase of Liberian striker George Weah, Monaco failed to retain the league and finished third behind Marseille and Paris Saint-Germain.{{cite web |url=http://www.ligue1.com/ligue1/classement?saison=57 |publisher=Ligue 1 |access-date=18 July 2012 |title=Saison 1988/1989 Ligue 1}} The club reached the final of the Coupe de France, the national knockout cup competition in the same season, but lost 4–3 to Marseille.{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=92dibTyUbo0C&pg=PA16 |title=The Professor: Arsène Wenger |page=16 |first=Myles |last=Palmer |publisher=Random House |date=31 March 2011 |isbn=978-0-7535-4661-1}}

Monaco again finished third in 1989–90; striker Ramón Díaz scored 15 goals in his first season at the club.{{cite web |url=http://www.ligue1.com/ligue1/classement?saison=57#sai=58&journee1=1&journee2=38&cat=Gen |publisher=Ligue 1 |access-date=20 August 2012 |title=Saison 1989/1990 Ligue 1}}{{NFT player|id=19296|name=Ramón Diaz|access-date=20 August 2012 }} The club beat league winners Marseille in the Coupe de France final through a last-minute goal from substitute Gérald Passi. In 1991–92, Monaco finished in second place and lost the 1992 European Cup Winners' Cup Final 2–0 to Werder Bremen.{{cite news |title=Arsenal's European frustration |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/6940683.stm |first=Paul |last=Fletcher |publisher=BBC Sport |date=14 August 2007 |access-date=5 May 2012}} Although Monaco acquired the services of German striker Jürgen Klinsmann, the club could not regain the championship and concluded the subsequent seasons in third and ninth positions.{{cite web |url=http://www.ligue1.com/ligue1/classement?saison=56#sai=61&journee1=1&journee2=38&cat=Gen |publisher=Ligue 1 |access-date=18 July 2012 |title=Saison 1992/1993 Ligue 1}}{{cite web |url=http://www.ligue1.com/ligue1/classement?saison=56#sai=62&journee1=1&journee2=38&cat=Gen |publisher=Ligue 1 |access-date=18 July 2012 |title=Saison 1993/1994 Ligue 1}} Monaco did reach the semi-finals of the Champions League in April 1994, but lost to eventual winners Milan.{{cite web |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story/_/id/1041170/rewind-to-1994:-milan-down-the-dream-team?cc=5739 |title=Milan down the Dream Team |first=Jon |last=Carter |publisher=ESPNSoccernet |date=29 March 2012 |access-date=16 December 2012 |archive-date=20 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181020011942/http://www.espnfc.com/story/1041170/rewind-to-1994-milan-down-the-dream-team |url-status=dead }} As a result of his work at Monaco, Wenger was sought after by German club Bayern Munich, who wanted him to be their next manager.{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=92dibTyUbo0C&pg=PA16 |title=The Professor: Arsène Wenger |pages=16–17 |first=Myles |last=Palmer |publisher=Random House |date=31 March 2011 |isbn=978-0-7535-4661-1}} Monaco refused to let him leave and Wenger chose to stay, but a poor start to the 1994–95 season meant he was dismissed on 17 September 1994, with the team in 17th spot in the table.{{cite news |url=http://www.lemonde.fr/web/recherche_breve/1,13-0,37-339121,0.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120803171643/http://www.lemonde.fr/web/recherche_breve/1,13-0,37-339121,0.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=3 August 2012 |newspaper=Le Monde |location=Paris |date=18 September 1994 |access-date=3 February 2012 |title=Arsène Wenger n'entraîne plus l'AS Monaco |language=fr}} In 2001, Wenger said that the impact of bribery and corruption had influenced his decision to leave France, as Marseille were found guilty of match fixing in 1994.{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=92dibTyUbo0C&pg=PA17 |title=The Professor: Arsène Wenger |page=17 |first=Myles |last=Palmer |publisher=Random House |date=31 March 2011 |isbn=978-0-7535-4661-1}}

Shortly after his dismissal, Wenger travelled to the United Arab Emirates to attend a series of conferences held by FIFA.{{sfnp|Rivoire|2011|p=61}} Wenger was a member of the football governing body's technical committee, responsible for analysing the 1994 World Cup, and made a presentation to coaches of emerging football nations.{{sfnp|Rivoire|2011|p=61}} His speech was closely followed by Japanese delegates, whose country had invested millions into the restructuring of its football league system.{{sfnp|Rivoire|2011|p=61}} Representatives of Toyota, the majority owner of Nagoya Grampus Eight soon met with Wenger and offered him the chance to become the club's manager.{{sfnp|Rivoire|2011|p=61}} Wenger deliberated, even though the idea of working abroad appealed to him; negotiations between the two parties lasted for two months.{{sfnp|Rivoire|2011|pp=61–2}} In that time, he sought the advice of his closest friends and family, and flew to Japan to watch Nagoya Grampus' striker Gary Lineker make his final appearance before his professional retirement.{{sfnp|Rivoire|2011|p=62}} In December 1994, Wenger agreed to become manager of Nagoya Grampus, on a two-year contract worth ¥75m annually.{{sfnp|Oldfield|2010|p=21}}

File:Драган Стојковић Пикси 2021.png flourished under Wenger's guidance at Nagoya Grampus.]]

With the new season of the J.League commencing in March 1995, Wenger set about assembling his squad and backroom staff. He hired former Valenciennes manager Boro Primorac, whom he had befriended during the match-fixing scandal, as his assistant.{{cite news |title=The Invisible Man in Arsenal's Team |url=https://www.questia.com/newspaper/1G1-159559146/the-invisible-man-in-arsenal-s-team |first=Wayne |last=Veysey |newspaper=London Evening Standard |date=20 February 2007 |access-date=13 June 2016}} {{subscription required}} Alexandre Torres joined Nagoya after Wenger identified the defender by watching Brazilian football on the television, and the manager brought in Franck Durix and his former player Passi.{{sfnp|Rivoire|2011|p=64}} Nagoya finished bottom of the J.League the season before Wenger's arrival,{{sfnp|Oldfield|2010|p=21}} and continued their poor form into the following campaign, losing several matches in a row.{{sfnp|Rivoire|2011|p=64}} In response to the situation, Wenger altered his managerial style, becoming less amicable with his players and openly questioning their desire.{{sfnp|Rees|2014|p=82}} To boost morale, he took his squad to Versailles for their mid-season break, where they went through a rigorous, but creative, training regime.{{sfnp|Rivoire|2011|p=65}} Players were expected to make decisions for themselves on the pitch, instead of relying on the manager;{{sfnp|Rees|2014|p=82}} Wenger was reported to have shouted to his players "Don't look at me to ask me what to do with the ball!"{{sfnp|Rivoire|2011|p=65}} and "Decide for yourself! Why don't you think it out?"{{cite news |title=Lingua franca |url=http://www.newstatesman.com/node/155713 |first=Ernest |last=Hecht |magazine=New Statesman |date=10 June 2002 |access-date=15 June 2016}} One player who greatly benefited from Wenger's guidance was Dragan Stojković, a midfielder whose disciplinary record improved considerably.{{sfnp|Oldfield|2010|p=22}}{{sfnp|Rees|2014|pp=79–80}}

Wenger's methods had the desired effect – Nagoya won 17 of their following 27 games to finish runners-up in 1995.{{sfnp|Rees|2014|p=83}} He shortly received the J. League Manager of the Year award for 1995, while Stojković claimed the player's honour.{{cite news |title=Stojkovic J-League's MVP |first=Ken |last=Marantz |page=18 |newspaper=The Daily Yomiuri |location=Tokyo |date=12 December 1995}} In January 1996, Wenger guided the club to their first piece of silverware as Nagoya defeated Sanfrecce Hiroshima to win the Emperor's Cup.{{sfnp|Rees|2014|p=83}} Two months later they triumphed in the Super Cup, beating Yokohama Marinos 2–0.{{sfnp|Rivoire|2011|p=70}} The success bolstered Nagoya's status in Japanese football, as well as Wenger's reputation; he was somewhat startled by the praise and idolisation that came his way.{{sfnp|Rivoire|2011|p=70}} Midway through the 1996 league season, Wenger's former club Strasbourg enquired about the possibility of him returning to manage them.{{sfnp|Rivoire|2011|p=75}} He turned down the offer, as he had been approached by Arsenal.{{sfnp|Rivoire|2011|p=75}} David Dein had remained in contact with Wenger after their first meeting, and frequently sent him video tapes of matches to garner his opinions; "He was my personal pundit," the vice-chairman recalled.{{cite news |first=David |last=Ornstein |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/26680514 |title=Arsene Wenger: Arsenal boss's appointment was destiny – Dein |publisher=BBC Sport |date=21 March 2014 |access-date=14 June 2016}} The Arsenal board rebuffed Dein's suggestion to appoint Wenger as early as 1995, but concerns over George Graham's successor Bruce Rioch meant they were more open-minded about hiring him since his stint in Japan.{{sfnp|Rivoire|2011|p=77}}

Wenger managed Nagoya for the final time on 28 August 1996 and delivered a farewell speech, thanking the fans in Japanese.{{sfnp|Rivoire|2011|p=77}}{{sfnp|Rees|2014|p=88}} Assessing his time in Japan, biographer Jasper Rees felt Wenger had left a mixed legacy at the club, as the immediate success was followed by fluctuating league finishes;{{sfnp|Rees|2014|p=88}} it was not until 2010 that Nagoya (under Stojković) won their first title.{{cite web |url=http://www.espnfc.com/story/839046/duerden-stojkovic-doing-things-the-wenger-way |title=Stojkovic doing things the Wenger way |first=John |last=Duerden |publisher=ESPN FC |date=5 November 2010 |access-date=20 November 2010}} Wenger continued to speak fondly of his career in Japan, and once likened the country to his ancestral home: "It has beautiful things that we have lost in Europe, beautiful things that make life good."{{sfnp|Rees|2014|p=76}} He also credited the culture for improving his temperament and rediscovering his passion for the game.{{cite news |title=Wenger: It's so hard to hide my feelings |url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/WENGER%3A+IT%27S+SO+HARD+TO+HIDE+MY+FEELINGS.-a061110911 |first=John |last=Dillon |newspaper=The People |location=London |date=9 November 1997 |access-date=30 June 2012}}{{sfnp|Palmer|2008|p=22}} Wenger returned to Japan as a television pundit for the 2003 FIFA Confederations Cup,{{sfnp|Rivoire|2011|p=71}} and a decade later, took Arsenal to face Nagoya in a pre-season friendly.{{cite news |first=Shigemi |last=Sato |url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2013/07/25/soccer/wengers-time-with-nagoya-still-resonates |title=Wenger's time with Nagoya still resonates |newspaper=The Japan Times |location=Tokyo |date=25 July 2013 |access-date=14 June 2016}}

In August 1996, Arsenal dismissed Bruce Rioch as club manager.{{cite news |title=Arsenal ditch Rioch and look abroad |first=Martin |last=Thorpe |page=22 |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=13 August 1996}} Rioch's position had become untenable after a dispute with the board over transfers, and his working relationship with Dein worsened during the course of his tenure. Arsenal appointed Stewart Houston and later Pat Rice in temporary charge of the first team, while they searched for a full-time successor.{{cite news |title=Red faces as Houston walks out |first=Trevor |last=Haylett |page=28 |newspaper=The Independent |location=London |date=14 September 1996}} Although Barcelona player and manager Johan Cruyff was favourite to take over,{{cite news |title=Cruyff appears Arsenal's likely target |first=Rob |last=Hughes |page=48 |newspaper=The Times |date=14 September 1996}} the board looked elsewhere, eventually backing Dein's proposal to hire Wenger.{{cite news |title=Why Rioch had to go – The inside story of a coup at Arsenal |first=Nicholas |last=Fox |page=S8 |newspaper=The Sunday Times |date=14 September 1996}} The appointment was delayed for several weeks as Wenger was under contract at Nagoya Grampus and the club wanted time to make a final decision.{{cite news |title=Arsenal wait on arrival of new manager |first=Russell |last=Kempson |page=41 |newspaper=The Times |date=21 August 1996}} In the meantime, the Arsenal board refused to confirm the identity of their next manager, but speculation grew that it would be Wenger once the club signed French midfielders Patrick Vieira and Rémi Garde.{{cite news |title=Don't stitch me up! |first=Mike |last=Walters |url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/DON%27T+STITCH+ME+UP!%3B+Arsene+Wenger+talking+to+Mirror+Sport.-a061339762 |newspaper=The Mirror |location=London |date=25 September 1996 |access-date=15 December 2012}} On 22 September 1996, Wenger was unveiled as Arsenal manager, after Nagoya Grampus granted him his release.{{cite news |title=Wenger finally moves in at Highbury |page=28 |newspaper=The Times |date=23 September 1996}} He officially assumed the role on 1 October 1996, becoming the first Frenchman to manage in the Premier League.{{cite web |first=Richard |last=Clarke |url=http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/wenger-1996-to-2006-the-french-evolutionary |title=Wenger 1996 to 2006: The French evolutionary |publisher=Arsenal F.C |date=28 September 2006 |access-date=14 December 2015}} At his first press conference, he told reporters: "The main reason for coming is that I love English football, the roots of the game are here. I like the spirit round the game and at Arsenal I like the spirit of the club and its potential."{{cite news |title=Wenger arrives at last |page=45 |newspaper=The Independent |location=London |date=23 September 1996}}

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|quote = "At first, I thought: What does this Frenchman know about football? He wears glasses and looks more like a schoolteacher. He's not going to be as good as George [Graham]. Does he even speak English properly?"

|source = Arsenal captain Tony Adams.{{cite news |title=Arsenal players hail Arsène Wenger as he becomes club's longest-serving manager |first=Jeremy |last=Wilson |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/6248453/Arsenal-players-hail-Arsene-Wenger-as-he-becomes-clubs-longest-serving-manager.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/6248453/Arsenal-players-hail-Arsene-Wenger-as-he-becomes-clubs-longest-serving-manager.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |date=1 October 2009 |access-date=2 February 2012}}{{cbignore}}

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File:Arsenal Stadium interior West Stand.jpg

Wenger's arrival at Arsenal was greeted with perplexity by some of the club's players, supporters and the local media.{{refn|It is a common misconception that the Evening Standard greeted Wenger's appointment with the headline "Arsène Who?", when in actual fact it was printed on its billboard. The newspaper instead ran a piece that explained how to pronounce his name.{{sfnp|Cross|2015|p=16}}|group=nb}} Although he was touted as a future technical director of The Football Association (FA),{{cite news |title=Wilkinson waits for job offer from FA |first=Rupert |last=Metcalf |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/wilkinson-waits-for-job-offer-from-fa-1281657.html |newspaper=The Independent |location=London |date=4 January 1997 |access-date=4 January 2011}} he was relatively unknown in English football. Glenn Moore's report in The Independent, dated 24 September 1996, highlighted the mood: "It is a measure of the insularity of the English game that when Arsène Wenger's name emerged as Arsenal's favoured candidate for their vacant manager's job many supporters were asking: 'Arsène who?'"{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/a-graduate-of-the-global-game-1364848.html |title=A graduate of the global game |first=Glenn |last=Moore |newspaper=The Independent |location=London |date=24 September 1996 |access-date=15 December 2015}} Unlike his predecessors, Wenger was given control over transfers, contracts and training sessions, and the Arsenal board chose not to meddle in team affairs.{{sfnp|Rivoire|2011|p=80}} One of his first acts as manager was to assure the experienced players they had a future at the club, but he noted the squad was "a bit tight," and needed competition for places.{{sfnp|Rivoire|2011|p=82}} Wenger adopted a hands-on approach to training sessions which energised the squad, and made steps to change the drinking culture that afflicted Arsenal.{{sfnp|Palmer|2008|pp=45–9}} Although he initially allowed players to have a pint of beer, they were forbidden to drink on days off and in the players' lounge.{{cite news |title=Wenger's booze ban! |first=Ray |last=Ryan |page=80 |newspaper=News of the World |location=London |date=29 September 1996}} He later banned his players from casually drinking together.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/3540701.stm |title=Wenger imposes drink ban |publisher=BBC Sport |date=8 March 2004 |access-date=17 December 2015}} Wenger also promoted pasta as the pre-match dish, encouraged boiled chicken instead of red meat and discouraged junk food.{{sfnp|Palmer|2008|p=46}} Players received optional vitamin injections and Creatine, which reduced fatigue and improved their stamina.{{sfnp|Palmer|2008|p=46}}

Wenger's first match was a 2–0 away victory over Blackburn Rovers on 12 October 1996,{{cite news |title=Wenger begins on Wright lines |first=Jon |last=Culley |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/wenger-begins-on-wright-lines-1358252.html |newspaper=The Independent on Sunday |location=London |date=13 October 1996 |access-date=1 January 2011}} however, he did suggest "one or two changes" to Rice in Arsenal's UEFA Cup defeat to Borussia Mönchengladbach on 24 September, nine days prior to taking charge of the club.{{cite news |title=Arsenal's dreams are ended by Juskowiak |first=Derrick |last=Whyte |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/arsenals-dreams-are-ended-by-juskowiak-1365161.html |newspaper=The Independent |location=London |date=25 September 1996 |access-date=26 January 2012}} The interference upset club captain Tony Adams, who on his first meeting with the manager expressed his disappointment: "I said to him that he had put our entire season in jeopardy by doing what he had done."{{sfnp|Rivoire|2011|p=84}} Wenger chose to take the criticism on board upon arrival, and made an effort listening to Adams' assessment of the club.{{sfnp|Rivoire|2011|pp=84–5}} This particular approach of management resonated with the other players, who were sceptical of his ideas at first. The English players often set up pranks on Wenger to relieve hostility and nicknamed him "Inspector Clouseau", due to his clumsy nature.{{sfnp|Rivoire|2011|pp=85–7}} Adams said his sense of humour helped build team spirit: "Not only does Wenger love a good laugh, but he can laugh at himself. He is this gangly wise man".{{sfnp|Rivoire|2011|p=87}}

Malicious rumours concerning Wenger's private life surfaced during November 1996, to the extent that the City of London reported that his exit from Arsenal was imminent.{{cite news |title=Wenger quick to deny rumours |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-wenger-quick-to-deny-rumours-1351349.html |newspaper=The Independent |location=London |date=8 November 1996 |access-date=31 December 2015}} Having returned from a trip to Strasbourg to visit his parents, Wenger attended a press meeting and strongly refuted the claims: "If something comes out that is wrong, I will attack. It is a serious matter if you can just create things that are not right." Arsenal's press officer Clare Tomlinson, who was present at the news conference, recalled Wenger phoning the next day and demanding why he could not take action against the press for printing the story.{{sfnp|Cross|2015|pp=34}} The culprit responsible for spreading gossip in the City later apologised to Wenger.{{cite news |title=Wenger wronged |url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Wenger+wronged.-a061281799 |newspaper=Daily Mirror |location=London |date=15 November 1996 |access-date=31 December 2015}} During this, Arsenal had led the Premier League, but poor form in February 1997 caused Wenger to rule out his team's chances of winning the title.{{cite news |title=Jones keeps Wimbledon on course |first=David |last=Lacey |page=24 |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=24 February 1997 |quote="'Yes, for the title of course,' he replied when asked if the result had ended the team's interest in the Premiership, 'but for Europe, no.'"}} They finished third in his first season, missing out on UEFA Champions League qualification to Newcastle United on goal difference – the tiebreaker used to determine the ranking between teams equal on points.{{cite news |title=Newcastle's firepower wins place in Champions League |first=Colin |last=Stewart |page=24 |newspaper=The Scotsman |location=Edinburgh |date=12 May 1997}}

In preparation for the forthcoming season, Wenger took the Arsenal squad to Austria, which would become the club's usual pre-season base.{{sfnp|Cross|2015|p=35}} The players were given a night out as a reward for vigorous training, which midfielder Ray Parlour revealed was spent at a local pub with the other English players, while the "French lads" headed to the coffee shop and smoked.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/10514958/Ray-Parlour-the-English-lads-were-drinking-the-French-smoking-and-Arsenal-still-won-the-Double.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/10514958/Ray-Parlour-the-English-lads-were-drinking-the-French-smoking-and-Arsenal-still-won-the-Double.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Ray Parlour: the English lads were drinking, the French smoking and Arsenal still won the Double |first=Jeremy |last=Wilson |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |date=12 December 2013 |access-date=17 December 2015 |ref=none}}{{cbignore}} "How are we going to win the league this year? We're all drunk and they're all smoking," he recollected. Wenger continued to fine-tune the squad during this period. Having vetoed John Hartson's move to West Ham United in February 1997, he convinced French teenager Nicolas Anelka to join Arsenal.{{cite news |title=West Ham dig deep to tempt Hartson away |first=Martin |last=Thorpe |page=A10 |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=15 February 1997}}{{cite news |title=The French revolution |first=Patrick |last=Sowden |page=B6 |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=28 February 1997}} He raided his old club Monaco to acquire the services of Christopher Wreh, Gilles Grimandi and Emmanuel Petit.{{sfnp|Oldfield|2010|p=39}} The latter two were defenders, but Wenger thought both were capable of playing in midfield.{{sfnp|Oldfield|2010|p=39}} To address the shortcomings of playing expansive football, winger Marc Overmars was purchased from Ajax, while Paul Merson moved to Middlesbrough.{{sfnp|Palmer|2008|p=67}}{{sfnp|Oldfield|2010|pp=39–40}} Wenger assessed Arsenal lost the Premier League because of their poor home performances, and felt they needed more pace and power.{{sfnp|Palmer|2008|p=67}}

Arsenal began the 1997–98 season well, but struggled in November; though they beat Manchester United at Highbury without the suspended Dennis Bergkamp.{{cite news |title=Platt puts new life into chase for title |first=Mark |last=Lawrenson |url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Bergkamp+the+Irreplaceable.-a061052980 |newspaper=Daily Mirror |location=London |date=10 November 1997 |access-date=10 January 2016}} This was their only league win throughout the month.{{cite web |url=http://www.statto.com/football/teams/arsenal/1997-1998/results |title=Arsenal results for the 1997–98 season |publisher=Statto Organisation |access-date=10 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304071919/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/arsenal/1997-1998/results |archive-date=4 March 2016 |url-status=dead}} Defeat at home to Blackburn Rovers left the club in sixth position before Christmas and seemingly out of contention for the title.{{cite news |title=Wimbledon v Arsenal |first=Matt |last=Dickinson |page=29 |newspaper=The Times |date=22 December 1997}} Striker Ian Wright was booed off by supporters over his performance, which he responded to by criticising the crowd from the dressing room window.{{cite news |title=Arsenal fade into a Wright red mist |first=Martin |last=Thorpe |page=23 |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=15 December 1997}} Wenger called for an urgent team meeting, where "home truths were spoken, fingers pointed, players were geed up."{{sfnp|Cross|2015|p=44}} The squad dictated how the conversation went, which the senior defenders made it clear they wanted Vieira and Petit to provide cover.{{sfnp|Palmer|2008|p=97}}

File:Dennis Bergkamp.jpg was a regular in Wenger's early teams.]]

Such was the likelihood of Manchester United going on to retain the title, bookmaker Fred Done paid out on punters with two months of the season left.{{cite news |first=Steve |last=Millar |title=You've Done your money backing Arsenal for title |page=55 |newspaper=Daily Mirror |location=London |date=12 March 1998}} Arsenal steadily closed the gap, however, and victory against Wimbledon in March 1998 set up a title clash between themselves and the reigning champions.{{cite news |title=Wreh of hope for Gunners as gap closes |first=Ian |last=Malin |page=30 |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=12 March 1998}} Wenger in the lead up to the game maintained it was possible for Arsenal to win the league, stating "two or three weeks ago, the title was just a dream for us and people laughed when I said we could still do it".{{cite news |title=Arsenal back in title business |first=Russell |last=Kempson |page=49 |newspaper=The Times |date=13 March 1998}} He suggested Manchester United were responsible for making the title race "interesting".{{sfnp|Cross|2015|p=45}} At Old Trafford, Overmars scored the decisive goal to give Arsenal a 1–0 win.{{cite news |title=Overmars keeps title race alive |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/65594.stm |work=BBC News |date=14 March 1998 |access-date=31 December 2015}} The victory was followed by nine consecutive league wins, the last of which was a home fixture against Everton that secured Arsenal's status as champions.{{sfnp|Palmer|2008|pp=114–21}} Wenger became the first foreign manager to win the double, when his team beat Newcastle United in the 1998 FA Cup Final.{{cite news |title=Overmars provides the driving force |first=Oliver |last=Holt |page=31 |newspaper=The Times |date=18 May 1998}}

Wenger sanctioned Wright's transfer to West Ham in the summer and made Anelka his first-choice striker ahead of the 1998–99 season.{{sfnp|Palmer|2008|p=129}} His decision not to bolster Arsenal's attack, coupled with Bergkamp's fear of flying, meant the club entered the Champions League with just one recognised striker.{{sfnp|Palmer|2008|p=140}} Their time in the competition was brief, making an exit at the group stage, with their domestic form being indifferent.{{sfnp|Palmer|2008|pp=131–46}} Needing to strengthen their attacking options, Arsenal signed Nwankwo Kanu in January 1999, and his presence reinvigorated the team as they embarked on a run similar to last season.{{sfnp|Palmer|2008|p=147}} They finished second behind Manchester United however, losing their slender advantage once they lost their penultimate match.{{cite news |title=Football: Cole brings United fifth title |first=Glenn |last=Moore |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-cole-brings-united-fifth-title-1094053.html |newspaper=The Independent |location=London |date=17 May 1999 |access-date=1 January 2011}} United also eliminated Arsenal in a FA Cup semi-final replay after extra time; Wenger afterwards said: "it was a smashing game, and in the end, the luckiest won."{{sfnp|Palmer|2008|p=156}} In August 1999, Anelka joined Real Madrid, having threatened to strike if Arsenal did not grant him a move abroad.{{cite news |title=Anelka: The story so far ... |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/fa_carling_premiership/405221.stm |work=BBC News |date=2 August 1999 |access-date=19 December 2015}} Wenger used a portion of the proceeds generated through the Anelka sale to fund the build of the Arsenal Training Centre, expressing his desire to establish a "home away from Arsenal".{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-happy-wenger-enjoying-his-role-in-control-1242122.html |title=Happy Wenger enjoying his role in control |newspaper=The Independent |location=London |date=30 September 1997 |access-date=22 November 2013}} He renewed his forward line by signing Davor Šuker{{Cite web |author=Guardian Staff |date=1999-08-02 |title=Arsenal sign £3.5m Suker |url=http://www.theguardian.com/football/1999/aug/02/newsstory.sport25 |access-date=2022-03-05 |website=The Guardian |language=en}} from Real Madrid, and Thierry Henry,{{Cite web |date=1999-08-03 |title=BBC News {{!}} Football {{!}} Henry joins Arsenal in record deal |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/football/410855.stm |access-date=2022-03-05 |website=news.bbc.co.uk}} who joined after seven "injury-interrupted" months at Juventus for £11.5 million.{{cite web |first=Michael |last=Walker |title=Gunners see a new dawn while Juventus fade to grey |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2006/apr/06/championsleague200506.championsleague1 |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=6 April 2006 |access-date=10 January 2016}} It was Wenger's intention to partner Anelka with Henry, but the former's departure meant the plan was scrapped.{{cite web |title=Wenger – I didn't want to sell Nicolas Anelka |url=http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/30677/anelka |first=Chris |last=Harris |publisher=Arsenal F.C |date=27 November 2009 |access-date=20 December 2015}}

The following seasons were comparatively barren. Arsenal again exited the Champions League at the group stage, but dropped down to the UEFA Cup.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/1999/oct/28/championsleague.sport |title=Batistuta blasts the Gunners out |first=David |last=Lacey |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=28 October 1999 |access-date=13 November 2013}} Wenger guided his team to the final, where they lost to Galatasaray on penalties.{{sfnp|Cross|2015|p=53}} In the league, Arsenal finished 18 points behind Manchester United as runners-up, and though they closed the gap to eight points in 2000–01, they never posed a serious title challenge.{{sfnp|Cross|2015|pp=53–6}} The trophy drought continued past 2001, when Michael Owen scored two late goals for Liverpool to beat Arsenal in the FA Cup Final.{{cite news |title=Wenger's trust again betrayed by Arsenal's lack of killer instinct |page=S7 |first=Matt |last=Dickinson |newspaper=The Times |date=14 May 2001}} Wenger rued his team's inability to make possession count, but refused to blame individuals, namely Henry, for missing chances.{{cite news |title=Wenger targets fresh blood |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/1327326.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=13 May 2001 |access-date=20 December 2015}}

The cup defeat prompted Wenger to make changes to his squad.{{sfnp|Cross|2015|p=59}} He signed young England internationals Richard Wright and Francis Jeffers, midfielder Giovanni van Bronckhorst from Rangers as a partner for Vieira, and convinced defender Sol Campbell to join from local rivals Tottenham Hotspur on a free transfer.{{sfnp|Palmer|2008|p=262}}{{cite news |first=Ian |last=Hughes |title=Gio could be key to Arsenal glory |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/1484947.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=13 August 2001 |access-date=31 December 2015}} Campbell's arrival strengthened a defence which was going through a transition phase from 1999 and 2001; Steve Bould and Nigel Winterburn moved on in this period, club graduate Ashley Cole displaced Sylvinho as Wenger's first choice left back, while Lauren acted as Lee Dixon's understudy.{{sfnp|Palmer|2008|p=262–3}} Midfielders Freddie Ljungberg and Robert Pires – brought in during preceding transfer windows, had now established themselves into the first team.{{cite news |title=Arsenal |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/aug/13/sport.comment |first=Sean |last=Ingle |newspaper=The Guardian |date=13 August 2001 |access-date=28 August 2012 |location=London}} The 2001–02 season brought much success as Wenger led Arsenal to the double once more.{{cite news |title=Arsenal clinch Double |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/1964495.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=8 May 2002 |access-date=1 January 2011}} The crowning moment was the win against Manchester United at Old Trafford in the penultimate game of the season. Sylvain Wiltord scored the winning goal to secure the club's 12th league championship and third double; four days earlier, Arsenal beat Chelsea 2–0 in the 2002 FA Cup Final.{{cite web |title=GGM 06: Wiltord goal clinches the Double |url=http://www.arsenal.com/ggm-06-wiltord-goal-clinches-the-double |publisher=Arsenal F.C |date=5 August 2007 |access-date=28 August 2012}} The team scored in every single league fixture and were unbeaten away from home that season.{{cite web |url=http://www.premierleague.com/content/premierleague/en-gb/history.html |title=History of the Premier League |publisher=Premier League |access-date=3 July 2013 |archive-date=9 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150709033908/http://www.premierleague.com/content/premierleague/en-gb/history.html |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://www.statto.com/football/teams/arsenal/2001-2002 |title=Arsenal – 2001–02 |publisher=Statto Organisation |access-date=3 July 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130709190430/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/arsenal/2001-2002 |archive-date=9 July 2013}}

File:Arsene Wenger.JPG

Wenger appointed Vieira as club captain following Adams' retirement, and made few additions to his double-winning squad, signing defender Pascal Cygan, midfielder Gilberto Silva and utility player Kolo Touré.{{sfnp|Oldfield|2010|p=105}} He was confident his side would retain the league and told the media: "Nobody will finish above us in the league. It wouldn't surprise me if we were to go unbeaten for the whole of the season".{{cite news |title=The best of the season |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2003/may/18/newsstory.sport7 |newspaper=The Observer |location=London |date=18 May 2003 |access-date=3 January 2016}}{{refn|Wenger reiterated his belief that Arsenal could go unbeaten in September 2002, telling reporters: "It's not impossible as AC Milan once did it but I can't see why it's so shocking to say it. Do you think Manchester United, Liverpool or Chelsea don't dream that as well?"{{cite news |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/news/2002/09/20/uk_rdp_ap/ |title=Arsenal can go unbeaten all season, says Wenger |agency=Associated Press |publisher=CNNSI.com |date=20 September 2002 |access-date=3 January 2016 |archive-date=4 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004230719/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/news/2002/09/20/uk_rdp_ap/ |url-status=dead }}|group=nb}} Arsenal set a new top-flight record in their opening game of the 2002–03 season; a 2–0 victory against Birmingham City was their 14th league win in succession.{{cite news |title=Champions pick up where they left off |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2002/aug/19/match.arsenal |first=Michael |last=Walker |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=19 August 2002 |access-date=24 December 2015}} They continued their fine start by overhauling Nottingham Forest's top-flight record of 22 away league matches without defeat and later surpassed Manchester United's Premier League total of 29 matches unbeaten.{{cite news |title=Record-breaking Arsenal |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/2286403.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |first=Paul |last=Fletcher |date=6 October 2002 |access-date=18 October 2011}} Arsenal lost to Everton in October 2002, which began a run of four matches without a win.{{cite news |title=Furious Wenger accuses cup final linesman of telling lies |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2007/mar/01/newsstory.sport12 |first=Daniel |last=Taylor |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=1 March 2007 |access-date=30 December 2015}} Though Wenger's team built an eight-point lead over challengers Manchester United by March 2003, they were overhauled in the final weeks of the season.{{Cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/2992107.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=4 May 2003 |access-date=22 June 2012 |last=Fletcher |first=Paul |title=Ten weeks that turned the title}} The title race shifted in United's favour when Bolton Wanderers came from behind to draw 2–2 against Arsenal. Wenger showed moments of exasperation during the match by loosening his tie and bellowing orders from the touchline. Journalist Phil McNulty wrote that Wenger's demeanor "spoke of someone who had the title in his grasp but now saw it slipping from his fingers".{{cite news |title=Alarm bells sound for Wenger |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/2982059.stm |first=Phil |last=McNulty |publisher=BBC Sport |date=28 April 2003 |access-date=24 December 2015}} Arsenal beat Southampton 1–0 to retain the FA Cup at the end of the campaign.{{cite news |title=Football: Arsenal's Cup in safe hands |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1758237.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130125073811/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1758237.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=25 January 2013 |newspaper=The Independent |location=London |first=Jason |last=Burt |date=18 May 2003 |access-date=12 July 2012}} {{subscription required}}

During pre-season, Wenger arranged a meeting with the players to examine why they lost the league.{{sfnp|Lawrence|2014|p=6}} Martin Keown felt the manager harmed their chances by boasting they could go the season unbeaten.{{sfnp|Lawrence|2014|p=6}} "Look, I said that because I think you can do it. But you must really want it," was Wenger's reply, as he believed the squad had the right mixture of technique, intelligence and physique.{{sfnp|Lawrence|2014|pp=6–7}} Arsenal did little transfer business given the financial demands that came with their new stadium project; their only major signing was Jens Lehmann, who replaced David Seaman as goalkeeper. Wenger retained his best players, despite interest shown by Chelsea's new owner Roman Abramovich. Six games into the league season, Arsenal were involved in a brawl against Manchester United; the ill-feeling stemmed from Vieira's dismissal late on. Several players were charged and fined accordingly by the FA and Wenger apologised for his team's over-reaction.{{cite news |title=Wenger says sorry |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/3139798.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=26 September 2003 |access-date=31 December 2015}} The team restored their image with an entertaining performance against Newcastle; Henry Winter in his match report wrote: "Henry's opening goal encapsulated all that is good about Arsenal, the slick passing and intelligent movement."{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/columnists/henrywinter/2422189/Henry-leads-the-resistance.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/columnists/henrywinter/2422189/Henry-leads-the-resistance.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Henry leads the resistance |first=Henry |last=Winter |date=27 September 2003 |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |access-date=24 December 2015}}{{cbignore}} Wenger led his side to league triumph without a single defeat – an accomplishment last achieved by Preston North End 115 years before, in the Football League.{{cite news |title=Unbeaten Arsenal in football heaven |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2004/may/16/newsstory.premierleague200304 |newspaper=The Observer |location=London |first=Kevin |last=Mitchell |date=16 May 2004 |access-date=22 June 2012}} "Somebody threw me a T-shirt after the trophy was presented which read 'Comical Wenger says we can go the whole season unbeaten.' I was just a season too early!," he remarked during the club's victory parade.{{cite news |title=Wenger has last laugh on victory parade |url=http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/latest/wenger-has-last-laugh-on-victory-parade-1-531288 |newspaper=The Scotsman |location=Edinburgh |date=17 May 2004 |access-date=31 December 2015}}

Arsenal's run of 49 league games unbeaten came to an end with a 2–0 defeat at Manchester United on 24 October 2004.{{cite news |title=Man Utd 2–0 Arsenal |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/3727552.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=24 October 2004 |access-date=1 January 2011}} The team under Wenger's management enjoyed another relatively strong league campaign in 2004–05, but finished second to Chelsea, who ended the season 12 points in front.{{cite news |title=Arsenal Annual Report 2004/2005 |url=http://www.arsenal.com/assets/_files/documents/oct_11/gun__1318505954_PDF_AHplc_2005_inside_FINAL.pdf |publisher=Arsenal F.C |year=2005 |access-date=19 July 2012}} Consolation again came in the FA Cup; Arsenal defeated Manchester United on penalties, after a goalless final.{{cite news |title=Arsenal 0–0 Man Utd (aet) – Arsenal win 5–4 on penalties |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/fa_cup/4558271.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=21 May 2005 |access-date=1 January 2011}} The emergence of Cesc Fàbregas in the starting line-up prompted Wenger to sell Vieira to Juventus in July 2005. He noticed the two as a midfield pairing was ineffective, and felt keeping Fàbregas would benefit the club's future. The 2005–06 season marked the beginning of a transitional period for Arsenal as it was the club's final season at Highbury.{{cite news |first=Amy |last=Lawrence |title=Wenger at the crossroads |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2005/oct/23/sport.comment3 |newspaper=The Observer |location=Edinburgh |date=23 October 2005 |access-date=31 December 2015}} The team finished fourth in the Premier League and outside the top two for the first time under Wenger's tenure.{{cite news |title=Football: Wenger wants more than Euro glory |first=Bob |last=Cass |page=58 |newspaper=Birmingham Evening Mail |date=15 May 2006}} In the Champions League, Wenger assembled an inexperienced defence that reached the final, beating Real Madrid, Juventus and Villarreal and conceding no goals in the knockout stages.{{cite news |first=Paul |last=Fletcher |title=Why Arsenal came good in Europe |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/4945812.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=26 April 2006 |access-date=10 January 2006}} In the final against Barcelona in May 2006, Arsenal took an early lead but ultimately lost the match 2–1.{{cite news |title=Barcelona 2–1 Arsenal |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/4773353.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=17 May 2006 |access-date=4 January 2011}} The defeat also made Wenger the only manager to have been a losing finalist in each of UEFA's three main club competitions, having previously lost the UEFA Cup final with Arsenal in 2000 and the Cup Winners' Cup final with Monaco in 1992.

In the summer of 2006, Wenger oversaw Arsenal's relocation to the Emirates Stadium.{{sfnp|Palmer|2008|p=374}} During the construction phase, he described the move as "vital" to the club's financial future and believed Arsenal were better able to attract the best players.{{cite news |title=Wenger feels new stadium is vital |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/4154480.stm |first=Nigel |last=Adderley |publisher=BBC Sport |date=15 August 2005 |access-date=15 May 2012}} Moving to the new stadium, however, presented several problems in the short term, as the club prioritised financing it over the team.{{cite news |title=Young guns |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2008/aug/31/arsenal |newspaper=The Observer |location=London |first1=Alex |last1=Fynn |first2=Kevin |last2=Whitcher |date=31 August 2008 |access-date=3 January 2016}} Wenger sold some of his experienced players such as Campbell, Lauren and Pires, sanctioned Cole's move to Chelsea in part exchange for defender William Gallas,{{sfnp|Palmer|2008|pp=374–6}} and integrated young players like Theo Walcott and Alex Song into the first team. His youthful team contested the League Cup final in February 2007 and were the youngest to play in a major English cup final, averaging 21 years.{{cite news |title=Black and blue |url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Football%3A+BLACK+AND+BLUE%3B+CARLING+CUP+ARSENAL+1+CHELSEA+2+3+sent+off...-a0159774369 |first=Colin |last=Duncan |newspaper=Daily Record |location=Glasgow |date=26 February 2007 |access-date=30 December 2015}} They ultimately came up short against Chelsea, who won the match 2–1.{{cite news |title=The night Wenger decided to let his young stars shine |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2007/dec/20/arsenal.carlingcup0708 |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |first=David |last=Hytner |date=20 December 2007 |access-date=17 December 2012}} Arsenal finished fourth in the 2006–07 league season;{{cite news |title=Fingers point at Poll as European dream dies |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2007/may/14/match.arsenal |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |last=Wilson |first=Jeremy |date=14 May 2007 |access-date=3 July 2013}} Wenger had ruled out their title chances following defeat to Bolton in November 2006.{{cite news |title=Arsenal lack maturity to be champions, says Wenger |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2006/nov/27/match.sport9 |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |first=Stuart |last=James |date=27 November 2006 |access-date=29 December 2015}} The team's lack of directness and efficiency of possession was a familiar theme during the campaign;{{cite news |title=Wenger: Change would be "suicidal" |url=http://www.eurosport.co.uk/football/premiership/2006-2007/wenger-we-won-t-change_sto1000578/story.shtml |publisher=Eurosport |date=3 November 2006 |access-date=10 January 2016}} Guardian journalist Daniel Taylor observed two matches into the league season: "The most watchable side are frequently the most frustrating. Arsenal are wonderfully incisive yet infuriatingly blunt."{{cite news |title=Barton puts spoke in the wheels of Arsenal's over-polished caravan |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2006/aug/28/match.sport6 |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |first=Daniel |last=Taylor |date=28 August 2006 |access-date=29 December 2015}}

File:Arsene Wenger.jpg

In April 2007, Dein left Arsenal due to "irreconcilable differences" about the future of the club.{{cite news |title=Vice-chairman Dein leaves Arsenal |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/6569561.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=18 April 2007 |access-date=30 December 2015}} Wenger described it as a "sad day for Arsenal," and sought assurances from the board over his future as well as reasons for Dein's departure.{{cite news |title=Wenger demands answers from Arsenal after departure of Dein |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2007/apr/20/newsstory.sport5 |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |first=Paul |last=Kelso |date=20 April 2007 |access-date=30 December 2015}} The instability at board level influenced club captain Henry's decision to leave Arsenal in June 2007, which led to uncertainty over Wenger's position.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2007/jun/23/newsstory.arsenal2 |title=Wenger stands at crossroads as allies depart |first=Jeremy |last=Wilson |date=23 June 2007 |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |access-date=2 January 2016}} In September 2007, Wenger signed a new three-year extension, stating that he remained committed to "the club of my life."{{cite news |title=Wenger agrees new deal at Arsenal |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/6981442.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=7 September 2007 |access-date=1 January 2010}} (In 2021, Wenger revealed that his signing of the contract extension was his side of a deal with the Arsenal board in the building of the new stadium, because he requested its construction.)[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LATo4EzTNM "Ian Wright Puts Fan Questions To Arsène Wenger | FAQs| SPORTbible"] – LADbible TV, YouTube, 19 November 2021 Arsenal flourished in Henry's absence, with Emmanuel Adebayor, Mathieu Flamini and Fàbregas playing a more prominent role in the 2007–08 season.{{sfnp|Palmer|2008|p=384}}{{cite news |title=Arsenal: the new Ajax? |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2007/sep/19/arsenalcouldbethenewajax |first=Jonathan |last=Wilson |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=19 September 2007 |access-date=3 January 2016}} Defeat to Middlesbrough in December 2007 ended a run of 22 league matches unbeaten,{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2007/dec/09/newsstory.arsenal |title=Bullish Boro end Arsenal's unbeaten run |first=Richard |last=Aikman |newspaper=The Guardian |date=9 December 2007 |access-date=3 January 2016}} but Arsenal soon built a five-point lead over Manchester United.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7372656.stm |title=How the title was won |first=Andrew |last=McKenzie |publisher=BBC Sport |date=12 May 2008 |access-date=11 February 2012}} A career-threatening injury to striker Eduardo against Birmingham City on 23 February 2008 acted as a turning point in Arsenal's season.{{cite news |title=Arsène Wenger knows but Arsenal are in an almighty mess |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2011/aug/22/arsene-wenger-arsenal |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |first=Richard |last=Williams |date=22 August 2011 |access-date=30 December 2015}} Wenger, incensed at the aggressive tactics of opponents, called for a ban on tackler Martin Taylor in his post-match interview; he later retracted the comment.{{cite news |title=Wenger retracts Martin Taylor comments |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2292551/Wenger-retracts-Martin-Taylor-comments.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2292551/Wenger-retracts-Martin-Taylor-comments.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |first=Richard |last=Morgan |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |date=23 February 2008 |access-date=4 January 2011}}{{cbignore}} Arsenal's form subsequently suffered, and a run of three consecutive draws in March allowed Manchester United and Chelsea to overhaul them as they finished the season in third.

Arsenal made a troubled start to Wenger's twelfth season. The club relieved Gallas of his captaincy, after he openly questioned his teammates, and Wenger appointed Fàbregas as his successor.{{cite news |title=Fábregas made Arsenal captain as Wenger tries to heal rift |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2008/nov/25/arsenal-fabregas-gallas-captain |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |last=Fifield |first=Dominic |date=25 November 2008 |access-date=16 December 2012}} Arsenal secured fourth position in the league and reached the semi-finals of the Champions League and FA Cup, but it was a fourth season without silverware.{{cite web |first=Richard |last=Clarke |url=http://www.arsenal.com/news/reserves-news/season-review-our-verdict-on-2008/09 |title=Season Review: Our verdict on 2008–09 |publisher=Arsenal F.C |date=2 June 2009 |access-date=10 January 2016}} Wenger was subject to criticism from Arsenal fans; he praised the travelling supporters, though referred to a section of the home crowd as treating him "like a murderer".{{cite news |title=Negative Arsenal fans make me feel like a murderer, says Arsène Wenger |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/may/16/arsene-wenger-arsenal-premier-league |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |last=Hytner |first=David |date=16 May 2009 |access-date=2 February 2012}} Arsenal finished third in the league in 2009–10{{cite news |title=Arsenal Premier League season review 2009–10 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/apr/07/barcelona-arsenal-lionel-messi |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |first=Jeremy |last=Wilson |date=10 May 2010 |access-date=14 December 2012 |location=London}} and the team were eliminated in the quarter-finals of the Champions League by Barcelona.{{cite news |title=Arsène Wenger hails Barcelona's Lionel Messi after four-goal display |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/apr/07/barcelona-arsenal-lionel-messi |newspaper=The Guardian |date=7 April 2010 |access-date=2 February 2012 |location=London}} Wenger had reached a landmark in October 2009, surpassing George Allison to become Arsenal's longest-serving manager.{{cite web |url=http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/wenger-v-allison-stats |title=Wenger is Arsenal's longest-serving manager |publisher=Arsenal F.C |date=30 September 2009 |access-date=30 December 2015}}

In August 2010, Wenger signed a further three-year contract to continue his managerial career at Arsenal.{{cite web |url=http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/ars-ne-wenger-signs-contract-extension |title=Arsène Wenger signs contract extension |publisher=Arsenal F.C |date=14 August 2010 |access-date=15 August 2010}} His team were on course for a quadruple trophy haul in 2010–11, before defeat to Birmingham City in the 2011 Football League Cup Final, when a mix-up between goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny and defender Laurent Koscielny allowed Obafemi Martins to score the winning goal.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/9405702.stm |title=Arsenal 1–2 Birmingham |last=McNulty |first=Phil |date=27 February 2011 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=29 August 2011}} This was followed by a run of just two wins in eleven Premier League games, to take them from title contenders to a fourth-place finish.{{cite web |url=http://www.statto.com/football/teams/arsenal/2010-2011/results |title=Arsenal – 2010–11 |publisher=Statto Organisation |access-date=20 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120326104216/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/arsenal/2010-2011/results |archive-date=26 March 2012 |url-status=dead}} Arsenal then made exits in the FA Cup and the Champions League to Manchester United and Barcelona, respectively.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/philmcnulty/2011/03/what_next_for_arsenal_wenger.html |title=What now for Wenger & Arsenal? |date=12 March 2011 |first=Phil |last=McNulty |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=31 December 2015}}

Wenger's preparations for the 2011–12 season were disrupted by player unrest. Though he insisted none of his top players would leave the club, Fàbregas eventually moved to Barcelona, while Gaël Clichy and Samir Nasri joined Manchester City.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2011/sep/02/arsene-wenger-arsenal-transfer-window |title=Arsène Wenger should have considered Arsenal's past before panic-buying |last=Lacey |first=David |date=2 September 2011 |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |access-date=11 February 2012}} Suspensions and injuries left Wenger fielding an understrength side against Manchester United on 29 August 2011; Arsenal were trounced 8–2, which represented their worst defeat in 115 years.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/15/sports/soccer/crisis-of-faith-among-the-arsenal-faithful.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0 |title=The worst of times after years of success |first=Jeré |last=Longman |date=14 September 2011 |newspaper=The New York Times |access-date=16 December 2012}} Needing to address the squad's lack of depth, Wenger completed a series of deals in the final days of the summer transfer window. He mostly brought in experienced players, such as Yossi Benayoun on loan from Chelsea, Everton's Mikel Arteta and Germany international Per Mertesacker.{{cite news |first=Alan |last=Shearer |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/14811107 |title=Alan Shearer on why Arsenal's problems are not over yet |date=9 September 2011 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=31 December 2015}} By October, Arsenal had made their worst start to a season in 58 years, losing four of their opening seven matches.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/oct/06/arsenal-finances-champions-league |title=Arsenal say they would cope without Champions League football |last=Gibson |first=Owen |date=6 October 2011 |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |access-date=12 August 2012}} However, the team soon harmonised and, in the same month, club captain Robin van Persie scored a hat-trick as Arsenal beat Chelsea 5–3.{{cite news |first=Henry |last=Winter |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/8858726/Robin-van-Persies-brilliant-hat-trick-pushes-Arsenal-to-within-sight-of-Chelsea.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/8858726/Robin-van-Persies-brilliant-hat-trick-pushes-Arsenal-to-within-sight-of-Chelsea.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Robin van Persie's brilliant hat-trick pushes Arsenal to within sight of Chelsea |date=31 October 2011 |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |access-date=31 December 2015}}{{cbignore}} Despite another season of no silverware, Wenger guided Arsenal to third position in the Premier League, thus qualifying for the Champions League for a 15th successive campaign.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2012/may/13/west-bromwich-albion-arsenal-premier-league |title=Arsenal secure Champions League place with victory at West Brom |last=Ronay |first=Barney |date=13 May 2012 |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |access-date=15 May 2012}} Van Persie had scored 37 goals, in his first injury-free season for the club.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2012/jul/20/robin-van-persie-wayne-rooney |title=Robin van Persie plus Wayne Rooney – dream combo or just too similar? |last=Jackson |first=Jamie |date=20 July 2012 |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |access-date=16 August 2012}} He, however, grew disillusioned with Arsenal's transfer policy, and decided not to renew his contract, with one year remaining. When Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson learnt of the situation, he called Wenger to push through a deal and Van Persie agreed to join Manchester United in August 2012.{{sfnp|Cross|2015|pp=124–5}} The club purchased strikers Olivier Giroud and Lukas Podolski in anticipation of the sale.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19280162 |title=Robin van Persie: Arsene Wenger says Arsenal had to sell striker |date=16 August 2012 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=23 August 2012}}

File:Arsène Wenger in Sofia.jpg

The 2012–13 season was Wenger's first without Rice, who retired in late spring.{{cite news |first=Oliver |last=Kay |url=https://www.thetimes.com/sport/football/article/steve-boulds-moves-to-offer-security-at-back-pay-off-plz09x8trr7 |title=Bould moves to offer security at back pay off |date=3 September 2012 |newspaper=The Times |access-date=10 January 2016}} Bould was named as his replacement, who specialised in defensive work. Arsenal struggled to find consistency in the league and were 12 points behind leaders Manchester United by November 2012.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/9714615/Arsenal-still-in-title-race-insists-Arsene-Wenger.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/9714615/Arsenal-still-in-title-race-insists-Arsene-Wenger.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Arsenal still in title race, insists Arsene Wenger |date=30 November 2012 |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |access-date=10 January 2016}}{{cbignore}} A month later, Wenger came under strong criticism following his side's exit in the League Cup to Bradford City, when a full-strength team lost on penalties to opposition three divisions below.{{sfnp|Cross|2015|pp=154–5}} Further cup defeats to Blackburn Rovers and Bayern Munich in the FA Cup and Champions League, respectively, ended Arsenal's trophy chances for an eighth consecutive season.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21485114 |title=FA Cup: Arsene Wenger says Arsenal's season is not over |date=16 February 2013 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=2 January 2016}} Before the first leg, Wenger had criticised the media for reporting he was about to sign a contract extension, and said of the Blackburn game: "We lost it in the last 20 minutes, so there are a lot of superficial analyses that you cannot accept. Because one guy says something, everybody goes the same way".{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/9878528/Full-transcript-Arsene-Wengers-confrontational-clash-with-journalists-ahead-of-Bayern-Munich-match.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/9878528/Full-transcript-Arsene-Wengers-confrontational-clash-with-journalists-ahead-of-Bayern-Munich-match.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Full transcript: Arsène Wenger's confrontational clash with journalists ahead of Bayern Munich match |date=18 February 2013 |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |access-date=2 January 2016}}{{cbignore}}

Arsenal's aim of finishing in the top four appeared to be a difficult task by March, after defeat to Tottenham Hotspur.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21650875 |title=Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger concedes top-four setback |publisher=BBC Sport |date=3 March 2013 |access-date=2 January 2016}} With ten league matches remaining, they were seven points behind their rivals, and Wenger said his side could not afford any more dropped points. He made changes to the side for their second leg against Bayern, dropping captain Thomas Vermaelen and Szczęsny, in place of Koscielny and Łukasz Fabiański.{{cite news |first=Jack |last=Pitt-Brooke |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/why-ars-ne-wenger-must-spend-to-put-icing-on-the-cake-and-buy-likes-of-stevan-jovetic-for-arsenal-8624593.html |title=Why Arsène Wenger must spend to put icing on the cake and buy likes of Stevan Jovetic for Arsenal |newspaper=The Independent |location=London |date=20 May 2013 |access-date=10 January 2016}} Though Arsenal were eliminated on the away goals rule,{{cite news |first=Neil |last=Johnston |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21681052 |title=Bayern Munich 0–2 Arsenal |publisher=BBC Sport |date=13 March 2013 |access-date=10 January 2016}} Wenger's adjustments worked in the league as his team went on a run to overhaul Tottenham for a second successive season. A win on the final day against Newcastle United secured fourth position, which Wenger described as a "relief".{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22589530 |title=Newcastle 0–1 Arsenal: Wenger relieved to seal top-four finish |publisher=BBC Sport |date=19 May 2013 |access-date=10 January 2016}}

Arsenal opened the 2013–14 season with a home defeat to Aston Villa, which prompted boos from the supporters.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23742476 |title=Wenger apologises to Arsenal fans |publisher=BBC Sport |date=17 August 2013 |access-date=2 January 2016}} The club's transfer inactivity over the summer was criticised, but Wenger assessed: "We could have won the game today with the players on the pitch, I'm convinced of that." In the final week of the transfer window, he re-signed Flamini and sanctioned the club record signing of Mesut Özil from Real Madrid, totalling £42.5 million.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/sep/02/mesut-ozil-arsenal-real-madrid |title=Mesut Ozil signs for Arsenal in a £42.5m transfer deal from Real Madrid |first=David |last=Hytner |date=3 September 2013 |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |access-date=2 January 2016}} Wenger was instrumental in the latter deal; he phoned and spoke to the German in his native language, convincing him that a move to England would enhance his career.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/10284922/Mesut-Ozils-42m-move-to-Arsenal-sealed-with-one-phone-call-from-manager-Arsene-Wenger.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/10284922/Mesut-Ozils-42m-move-to-Arsenal-sealed-with-one-phone-call-from-manager-Arsene-Wenger.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Mesut Özil's £42m move to Arsenal sealed with one phone call from manager Arsene Wenger |first=Jeremy |last=Wilson |date=3 September 2013 |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |access-date=2 January 2016 |ref=none}}{{cbignore}} Arsenal's form thereafter improved and Aaron Ramsey's goalscoring spree elevated the team to first position by the New Year. Poor performances in the big games, however, blighted Arsenal's title credentials, with a 6–0 loss to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge being described as "a good hiding [as] you don't prepare all week to experience that."{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/26700387 |title=Arsene Wenger: Arsenal loss to Chelsea was 'my fault' |publisher=BBC Sport |date=23 March 2014 |access-date=2 January 2016}} The defeat marked Wenger's 1,000th match in charge of Arsenal.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/26705642 |title=Arsene Wenger: Arsenal boss faces criticism after 1,000th game |publisher=BBC Sport |date=23 March 2014 |access-date=10 January 2016}} Arsenal consolidated fourth position in the league, and Wenger guided his team to FA Cup success, as they came from two goals down to beat Hull City in the final, and clinch Arsenal their first trophy in nine years.{{sfnp|Cross|2015|pp=201–2}} At the end of the season, Wenger signed another three-year extension to his Arsenal contract.{{cite web |url=http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/20140530/wenger-signs-contract-extension |title=Wenger signs contract extension |publisher=Arsenal F.C |date=30 May 2014 |access-date=10 January 2016}} He strengthened the squad by signing Alexis Sánchez from Barcelona in July 2014, who started in the 2014 FA Community Shield that Arsenal won by beating Manchester City 3–0, and during the course of 2014–15, Wenger promoted Francis Coquelin and Héctor Bellerín into the first team.{{sfnp|Cross|2015|pp=224–34}}{{cite web |first=Rob |last=Kelly |url=http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/20150717/wenger-bellerin-s-next-challenge |title=Wenger – Bellerin's next challenge |publisher=Arsenal F.C |date=17 July 2015 |access-date=10 January 2016}} Wenger won his sixth FA Cup in May 2015, which placed him alongside George Ramsay as the most successful manager in the competition's history.{{cite news |first=James |last=Walker-Roberts |title=Arsenal 4–0 Aston Villa: Dominant Gunners seal record FA Cup victory |url=http://www.skysports.com/football/arsenal-vs-a-villa/334699 |publisher=Sky Sports |date=31 May 2015 |access-date=25 November 2015}} Wenger guided the club to an improved third place in the league that season, and the club saw further improvement in the 2015–16 season as they finished as league runners-up, while retaining the FA Community Shield by defeating Chelsea 1–0.{{cite news |title=Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/33667216 |access-date=24 August 2021}}

File:45 Merci Arsène - Lap of Appreciation (27086072017).jpg

Arsenal financed moves for Granit Xhaka and Shkodran Mustafi in mid-2016 for a combined £65 million, rendering the pair one of Arsenal's most expensive ever signings, as Wenger hoped to guide the club to their first league title win in over thirteen years the following season.{{cite web |title=Arsenal agree deal with Granit Xhaka |url=http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/20160523/arsenal-agree-deal-with-granit-xhaka |publisher=Arsenal F.C. |access-date=25 May 2016 |date=25 May 2016}}{{cite news |url=http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/20160830/shkodran-mustafi-signs-for-arsenal |title=Shkodran Mustafi signs for Arsenal |date=30 August 2016 |publisher=Arsenal F.C.}} Although Arsenal began strongly in the league, losing only once until December, back-to-back defeats to Everton and Manchester City resulted in Arsenal losing their stronghold on the league. Wenger also served a four-match touchline ban and had to pay a £25,000 fine after pushing referee Anthony Taylor during a win at home against Burnley.{{cite web |url=http://www.thefa.com/news/2017/jan/27/arsene-wenger-four-match-touchline-ban-burnley |title=Touchline ban for Arsene Wenger}} Further defeats to Chelsea and Liverpool all but rendered Arsenal out of the title race, and left qualification to the Champions League threatened by March. On 30 April, Arsenal lost to main rivals Tottenham which had confirmed the latter had finished above them in the Premier League for the first time since the 1994–95 FA Premier League season.{{cite web |url=http://www.goal.com/en-in/news/tottenham-end-22-year-st-totteringham-curse-with-arsenal/1tf6s9j73yzls10jwl9icz1che |title=Tottenham end 22-year 'St. Totteringham' curse with Arsenal victory |website=Goal.com}} The following month also saw them fail to finish in the top four since the 1996–97 FA Premier League season.{{Cite web|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2710902-arsenal-beat-everton-3-1-fail-to-qualify-for-champions-league|title=Arsenal Beat Everton 3-1, Fail to Qualify for Champions League|first=James|last=Dudko|website=Bleacher Report}} On 27 May, Wenger became the most successful manager in the history of the FA Cup as Arsenal beat Premier League winners Chelsea 2–1 at Wembley through goals from Alexis Sánchez and Aaron Ramsey. The victory represented a further record for Wenger, as Arsenal too, became the most successful club in the competition's history as they won the competition for the 13th time.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/39984089 |title=Arsenal 2–1 Chelsea |publisher=BBC Sport |date=27 May 2017 |access-date=31 May 2017}} Four days following the win, Wenger signed a contract extension until 2019.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40103874 |title=Arsene Wenger: Arsenal boss signs new two-year contract |date=31 May 2017 |access-date=31 May 2017 |publisher=BBC Sport}}

In mid-2017, Wenger brought in two signings; Alexandre Lacazette for a fee of £45m, the club's most expensive signing, and Sead Kolašinac on a free transfer from Schalke 04.{{Cite news |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/arsenal-to-step-up-thomas-lemar-bid-after-sealing-52m-alexandre-lacazette-deal-a3580406.html |title=Arsenal to step up Lemar bid after sealing £52m Lacazette deal |newspaper=London Evening Standard |access-date=28 August 2017}}{{Cite news |url=http://www.squawka.com/news/arsenals-free-signing-sead-kolasinac-shows-theres-still-value-in-the-transfer-market-arsene-wenger/980338 |title=Arsenal's free signing Sead Kolasinac shows there's still value in the transfer market – Arsene Wenger |website=Squawka Football News |access-date=28 August 2017}} On 6 August, Wenger won his seventh FA Community Shield as manager as Arsenal beat Chelsea 4–1 on penalties following a 1–1 score at full time.{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/40766983 |title=Arsenal 1–1 Chelsea (Arsenal won 4–1 on pens) |date=6 August 2017 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=28 August 2017}} However, in the 2017–18 FA Cup, Arsenal lost to Nottingham Forest in the third round of the FA Cup, and again stood well outside the top four in the Premier League.{{cite web |url=http://www.espn.com/soccer/blog/espn-fc-united/68/post/3403478/arsene-wenger-jose-mourinho-in-danger-of-becoming-irrelevant-in-premier-league |title=Once revolutionaries, Wenger and Mourinho on verge of irrelevance |publisher=ESPN |date=3 March 2018 |access-date=7 March 2018}} The club also dealt with player unrest in the form of Sánchez, who voiced his desire to depart, and Wenger sanctioned a transfer to Manchester United in January 2018, whereby Arsenal received Henrikh Mkhitaryan in a swap-deal. Later that month, he signed Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang for a club-record fee of £56 million. However, these additions did not aid Arsenal's performances as a team, and on 20 April, Wenger announced he would step down as Arsenal manager at the end of the 2017–18 season.{{cite news |url=https://www.arsenal.com/news/merci-arsene |title=Merci Arsène |date=20 April 2018 |access-date=20 April 2018 |publisher=Arsenal F.C.}} His final home game was a 5–0 win against Burnley on 6 May, where he received a standing ovation before the game and was gifted the gold mini-replica Premier League trophy he won during the 2003–04 Invincibles season as a departing gift from Arsenal.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43939015 |title=Arsenal 5–0 Burnley |date=6 May 2018 |last=McNulty|first=Phil|publisher=BBC}} He officially concluded his tenure with a 1–0 away win against Huddersfield Town.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43939015 |title=Huddersfield Town 0–1 Arsenal |date=13 May 2018 |last=Begley|first=Emlyn|publisher=BBC}} Wenger later revealed that he wanted to stay at the club until the expiration of his contract, but the club thought it better he leave,{{cite news |url=https://www.thetimes.com/sport/football/article/ars-ne-wenger-on-his-exit-from-arsenal-and-getting-to-know-his-great-rival-sir-alex-ferguson-9gll6jjdm |title=Arsène Wenger on his exit from Arsenal and getting to know his great rival Sir Alex Ferguson |date=2 October 2020 |last=Crampton|first=Robert|work=The Times}} with the board informing him in January of their decision to end his contract at the end of the season.{{cite episode |title=An Audience With Arsène Wenger and David Dein |series=English Premier League (EPL) |date=8 November 2021 |url=https://sport.optus.com.au/epl/videos/os40747/os40747-dein |network=Optus Sport}} He described the hostility he faced from the board and fans as "unjustified" and his exit as "very hard" and "very brutal".{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/oct/20/arsene-wenger-a-sense-of-anger-humiliation-hate-every-defeat-is-still-a-scar-on-my-heart |title=Arsène Wenger: 'A sense of anger, humiliation, hate … every defeat is still a scar on my heart' |date=20 October 2020 |last=McRae|first=Donald|work=The Guardian}}

From November 2019, Wenger became FIFA's Chief of Global Football Development,{{Cite web|title=FIFA announces Arsene Wenger as Chief of Global Football Development|url=https://www.fifa.com/about-fifa/organisation/media-releases/fifa-announces-arsene-wenger-as-chief-of-global-football-development|date=13 November 2019|access-date=17 August 2021|website=fifa.com|language=en}} a role in which he is responsible for overseeing and driving the growth and development of the sport. He also takes senior authority as a member of the Football and Technical Advisory Panels involved in IFAB review giving judgement on rule changes mandated by FIFA. In this role, Wenger was also inducted chairman of FIFA's executive team which conducts technical analysis of official FIFA tournaments and delivers feedback. Following his departure from Arsenal, in a preview of his second book, he called the FIFA role "a new challenge". In 2019, Wenger invested in sports technology company Playermaker.{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamesayles/2019/05/23/arsene-wenger-makes-investment-in-sports-technology-firm/?sh=3743aa597ef0|title=Arsene Wenger Makes Investment In Sports Technology Firm PlayerMaker|publisher=forbes.com (Archived)|access-date=8 September 2023|archive-date=16 March 2023|archive-url=https://archive.today/20230316040027/https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamesayles/2019/05/23/arsene-wenger-makes-investment-in-sports-technology-firm/?sh=3743aa597ef0|url-status=bot: unknown}}

Wenger was inspired by Borussia Mönchengladbach as a child, and was later influenced by Total Football, a playing style developed by Rinus Michels at Ajax in the 1970s.{{cite news |first=Jason |last=Burt |title=Wenger looks for proof of pedigree |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/wenger-looks-for-proof-of-pedigree-5354499.html |newspaper=The Independent |location=London |date=10 March 2004 |access-date=26 January 2016}} He recollected the team as having "perfect players everywhere and that was the sort of football I wanted to be playing myself".{{cite news |title=Gunners want to go Dutch |url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Football%3A+GUNNERS+WANT+TO+GO+DUTCH.-a0114071014 |newspaper=Daily Mirror |location=London |date=10 March 2004 |access-date=26 January 2016}} At Monaco, he employed a 4–4–2 formation, though he did trial 4–3–3, akin to Michels'.{{cite news |first=Chris |last=Harris |title=Wenger – I did not copy 4–3–3 from Barca |url=http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/wenger-i-did-not-copy-4-3-3-from-barca |publisher=Arsenal F.C |date=19 March 2010 |access-date=26 January 2016}} Wenger is an advocate of 4–4–2 as "no other formation is as efficient in covering space",{{sfnp|Vialli|Marcotti|2006|p=182}} but used it sparingly in his final seasons.{{cite news |title=Analysing the superhuman resilience of Arsene Wenger |first=Paul |last=Simpson |url=http://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/analysing-superhuman-resilience-arsene-wenger |magazine=FourFourTwo |date=10 December 2013 |access-date=26 January 2016}}

Throughout his managerial career, Wenger has trusted his players to perform and learn from their own mistakes,{{sfnp|Lawrence|2014|p=88}} a quality Vieira regards as his biggest strength and weakness.{{cite news |title=Roy Keane and Patrick Vieira – Best of Enemies: live review |first=Dan |last=Lucas |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/10509494/Roy-Keane-and-Patrick-Vieira-Best-of-Enemies-live-review.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/10509494/Roy-Keane-and-Patrick-Vieira-Best-of-Enemies-live-review.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |website=The Telegraph |date=10 December 2013 |access-date=26 January 2016}}{{cbignore}} Wenger encourages sportsmen to show intuition, and makes observations rather than explicitly giving orders.{{cite news |title=The vision of Wenger |first=Joe |last=Lovejoy |newspaper=The Sunday Times |page=S16 |date=25 April 2004}} Campbell reflected that his former manager "puts a lot of onus on players to change the game" and "he wants certain players – especially in the last third – to be able to produce it and give something different".{{sfnp|Cross|2015|p=62}} When Wenger joined Arsenal, he spoke of his desire to see "real, modern football. That means compact lines, of zones, of quick, coordinated movements with a good technique."{{sfnp|Palmer|2008|p=5}} He characteristically focuses on the strengths of his teams, rather than looking for areas to exploit the opposition.{{sfnp|Lawrence|2014|p=88}}

{{Quote box

|quote = "For me, football is first and foremost a game. It has a framework, yet should leave some part for freedom of expression. In France nowadays we seem to have found the right balance between team organisation and the freedom allowed to the player."

|source = Wenger in an interview with The Sunday Times, April 2004.

|width = 22%

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}}

During a match against Borussia Mönchengladbach in 1996, Wenger presided over Rice's caretaker duties at Arsenal, and ordered the team to switch from their preferred 3–5–2 formation to 4–4–2. The tactical change did not have its desired effect, as Arsenal lost the game having led before Wenger's half-time instruction. For much of the 1996–97 season, Arsenal continued to play 3–5–2 as it was the only formation the defenders were comfortable with, as well as injuries unsettling the side.{{cite news |title=The brain behind the brawn |first=Joe |last=Lovejoy |page=S5 |newspaper=The Sunday Times |date=23 February 1997}}{{cite news |title=The French revolutionary |first=Ian |last=Ridley |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-the-french-revolutionary-1243524.html |newspaper=The Independent on Sunday |location=London |date=2 August 1997 |access-date=24 January 2016 |quote=Wenger believes that the old 4–4–2 is still the best way; another change that Arsenal will be embracing, injuries permitting.}} In Wenger's second season at the club, he reinstated 4–4–2 and focused on strengthening the front six, by signing wingers Overmars and Luís Boa Morte and partnering Vieira with Petit.{{cite news |title=The talks that turned the title |first=Ian |last=Ridley |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-the-talks-that-turned-the-title-1161638.html |newspaper=The Independent on Sunday |location=London |date=3 May 1998 |access-date=26 January 2016}} According to Jonathan Wilson, the system was similar to 4–3–3, as Overmars often pushed higher up the field and Parlour played alongside Vieira and Petit to solidify the midfield.{{sfnp|Wilson|2013|p=282}} Needing to compensate deficiencies in attack the following season, Wenger relied on his experienced defence to direct games, which conceded 17 goals in 38 league matches.{{cite news |title=Gunners will go back to future! |first=Bill |last=Pierce |newspaper=Coventry Telegraph |page=22 |date=17 May 1999}} From then on, Wenger deployed an unconventional 4–4–2 with a greater emphasis on attack and movement; his teams between 2001 and 2004 were dominant on the left flank.{{cite news |title=World-class Cole is leader of the left-wing schemes for Gunners and England |first=Gordon |last=Strachan |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2004/oct/18/sport.comment |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=18 October 2004 |access-date=25 January 2016}}

By the 2005–06 season, clubs in England were increasingly in favour of using the 4–5–1 system.{{cite news |title=Cruyff says 4–5–1 is a sign of bunker mentality |first=Lawrence |last=Donegan |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2005/oct/01/sport.comment6 |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=1 October 2005 |access-date=25 January 2016}} Wenger, having earlier suggested he would never resort to a negative system,{{cite news |title=Winter on Saturday: Bellamy excels as middle man |first=Henry |last=Winter |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/premier-league/4778562/Winter-on-Saturday-Bellamy-excels-as-middle-man.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/premier-league/4778562/Winter-on-Saturday-Bellamy-excels-as-middle-man.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |date=4 December 2004 |access-date=26 January 2016}}{{cbignore}} later adopted the formation for Champions League matches.{{cite news |title=Football: The madness of King Arsene |first=Paul |last=Smith |url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Football%3A+The+madness+of+King+Arsene%3B+CHAMPIONS+LEAGUE+FINAL%3A+ARSENAL...-a0145740550 |newspaper=Sunday Mirror |location=London |date=14 May 2006 |access-date=14 August 2012}} The decision to pack the midfield and play a lone striker resulted in Arsenal reaching the final. With Fábregas breaking into the first team, Wenger chose to deviate from their counter-attacking style, to a more possession based one.{{sfnp|Cox|2011|p=94}} In 2009–10, he instituted a fluid 4–3–3 formation to benefit from Fàbregas' creativity,{{cite news |title=Cesc Fábregas the foundation stone for Arsène Wenger's new team |first=Duncan |last=White |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/6256265/Cesc-Fabregas-the-foundation-stone-for-Arsene-Wengers-new-team.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/6256265/Cesc-Fabregas-the-foundation-stone-for-Arsene-Wengers-new-team.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |newspaper=The Sunday Telegraph |location=London |date=4 October 2009 |access-date=14 August 2012}}{{cbignore}} and since the player's departure, had remodelled the system to 4–1–4–1{{cite news |first=Tom |last=Sheen |title=Arsene Wenger: Did defensive display show that Arsenal manager has finally forgotten his stubborn streak? |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/has-arsenal-manager-arsene-wenger-finally-forgotten-his-stubborn-streak-9987420.html |newspaper=The Independent |location=London |date=19 January 2015 |access-date=11 March 2016 |quote=What quickly became clear was that Wenger had actually set his team out to play in a very deep 4–1–4–1 ...}} and 4–2–3–1.{{cite news |title=Wenger on Stoke City, Cech and Ozil |url=http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/20160117/wenger-on-stoke-city-cech-and-ozil |publisher=Arsenal F.C |date=17 January 2016 |access-date=26 January 2016 |quote=I played [Ozil] in a 4–3–3 today. Normally we play a 4–2–3–1 as players like to push forward and I think it is a position that suits him well.}} During the latter half of the 2016–17 Premier League season, Wenger switched to a 3–4–3 formation, similar to Antonio Conte's Chelsea first used against Middlesbrough in a 2–1 win.{{cite news |url=http://metro.co.uk/2017/04/18/arsenal-legend-martin-keown-offers-his-take-on-arsene-wengers-3-4-3-formation-6580896/ |title=Arsenal legend Martin Keown offers his take on Arsene Wenger's 3–4–3 formation |newspaper=Metro |location=London}}

Wenger proved able to implement his entertaining vision of football, particularly at Arsenal. His team's 5–1 win against Portsmouth in March 2004 was likened to "the magnificently fluid Ajax of the early 70s",{{cite news |title=Arsenal conjure up images of Ajax |first=Kevin |last=McCarra |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2004/mar/08/match.portsmouth |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=8 March 2004 |access-date=26 January 2016}} and greeted with a standing ovation by the opposition supporters, as the Arsenal players left the field.{{cite news |title=Wenger hails Pompey fans |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/3539907.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=6 March 2004 |access-date=26 January 2016}} Wenger's style of play, however, has been criticised for inefficiency and a lack of variation to go with technique.{{cite news |title=Alexis Sanchez double does little to quell fan unrest on Wearside |first=Luke |last=Edwards |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/premier-league/11187567/Sunderland-0-Arsenal-2-Alexis-Sanchez-double-does-little-to-quell-fan-unrest-on-Wearside.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/premier-league/11187567/Sunderland-0-Arsenal-2-Alexis-Sanchez-double-does-little-to-quell-fan-unrest-on-Wearside.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |date=25 October 2014 |access-date=26 January 2016 |quote=Dominating possession has not been a problem for any Arsenal side under Wenger, but they are not clinical enough with it. This was no different.}}{{cbignore}}{{cite news |title=Arsenal can beat Chelsea with passing not power, says Arsène Wenger |first=David |last=Hytner |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/oct/01/arsene-wenger-arsenal-chelsea1 |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=1 October 2010 |access-date=26 January 2016}} He is not renowned for making game-changing substitutions, nor had his tactics helped his teams overcome flexible opponents.{{sfnp|Cox|2011|pp=90, 96}} His ideals are noticeably different from the pragmatic approach of his rivals, though he has assembled teams to produce disciplined performances, markedly the 2005 FA Cup Final against Manchester United.{{cite news |title=Arsene Wenger refuses to ditch his principles in battle of pass masters |first=Matt |last=Hughes |url=https://www.thetimes.com/sport/football/article/arsene-wenger-refuses-to-ditch-his-principles-in-battle-of-pass-masters-kt8hgvns3lx |newspaper=The Times |date=31 March 2010 |access-date=14 August 2012}}{{subscription required}} Defeats in the big games during 2013–14 led to Wenger compromising his attack-minded principles in favour of keeping it tight.{{cite news |title=Arsenal's Premier League title-chase questions persist for Arsene Wenger |first=Miguel |last=Delaney |url=http://www.espn.co.uk/soccer/english-premier-league/23/blog/post/2377965/arsenals-premier-league-title-chase-questions-persist-for-arsene-wenger |publisher=ESPN |date=3 April 2015 |access-date=29 February 2016}} The team's approach had been less predictable than when it was built around Fàbregas, with the initial predictability allowing Sir Alex Ferguson to devise a template to beat Arsenal, which involved "good players who can intercept".{{cite news |title=Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger must adapt his tactics to beat Chelsea or Jose Mourinho will have his number again |first=Jeremy |last=Wilson |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/11135160/Arsenal-manager-Arsene-Wenger-must-adapt-his-tactics-to-beat-Chelsea-or-Jose-Mourinho-will-have-his-number-again.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/11135160/Arsenal-manager-Arsene-Wenger-must-adapt-his-tactics-to-beat-Chelsea-or-Jose-Mourinho-will-have-his-number-again.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |date=2 October 2015 |access-date=26 January 2016}}{{cbignore}}

File:Arsène Wenger (20064534156).jpg

Wenger led training sessions, but delegated responsibility to his coaching staff, who predominantly work with the players.{{cite news |first=Josh |last=James |title=Always ready to learn |url=http://www.arsenal.com/news/features/20150610/the-big-interview-always-ready-to-learn |publisher=Arsenal F.C |date=17 June 2015 |access-date=16 March 2016}} He split the squad into groups, observing and supervising the drills. A typical training session under Wenger lasted 90 minutes, which was timed and staged precisely, and included co-ordination techniques, positional play and small-sided games.{{cite news |first=Josh |last=James |title=Practice makes perfect |url=http://www.arsenal.com/news/features/20150520/practice-makes-perfect |publisher=Arsenal F.C |date=20 May 2015 |access-date=16 March 2016}} Wenger spent the day before a match focusing on the mental and tactical approach of his squad and varied his training style.

Wenger regarded a well-balanced diet as an essential part of a player's preparation. He was influenced by his time in Japan, where "the whole way of life there is linked to health. Their diet is basically boiled vegetables, fish and rice. No fat, no sugar. You notice when you live there that there are no fat people".{{cite news |title=French lessons |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2006/oct/01/sport.comment1 |first=Amy |last=Lawrence |newspaper=The Observer |location=London |date=1 October 2006 |access-date=16 August 2012}} At Arsenal, Wenger brought in dieticians to explain the benefits of a healthy lifestyle, and acquired the help of Philippe Boixel, an osteopath for the France national team, to realign the players' bodies each month.{{sfnp|Palmer|2008|p=46}} Plyometrics, exercises designed to strengthen the muscles, were introduced and Wenger routinely made players stretch before and after matches.{{sfnp|Cross|2015|p=20}} Until 2004, he encouraged his players to take Creatine for increased stamina, later stopping when he noticed side-effects.{{cite news |title=Ranting part of Wenger's grand design |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/columnists/henrywinter/2374066/Ranting-part-of-Wengers-grand-design.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/columnists/henrywinter/2374066/Ranting-part-of-Wengers-grand-design.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |first=Henry |last=Winter |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |date=2 March 2004 |access-date=16 March 2016}}{{cbignore}} The innovations had a desirable effect on the team as it prolonged the careers of his defence, and made Arsenal stronger in the second half of seasons.{{sfnp|Cross|2015|p=23}} Though Wenger's methods were common in Italian football, they had been unsuccessfully trialled in England until his arrival.{{refn|Graeme Souness, for instance in the early 1990s, changed the players' eating habits at Liverpool, introduced new training methods and monitored their lifestyles.{{sfnp|Rush|2011|p=345}} Some of the senior players were unreceptive to his ideas at first; Ian Rush retorted "But we won the double on egg and chips," when told about the new menu.{{sfnp|Rush|2011|p=345}} Souness' time at Liverpool was brief compared to his predecessors, lasting under three years.|group=nb}}

In later years, Wenger's training regime has come under criticism, given his squad's poor injury record.{{cite news |title=Revealed: The truth behind Arsenal's terrible injury record – and how your club shapes up |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/11308606/Revealed-The-truth-behind-Arsenals-terrible-injury-record-and-how-your-club-shapes-up.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/11308606/Revealed-The-truth-behind-Arsenals-terrible-injury-record-and-how-your-club-shapes-up.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |first=Jeremy |last=Wilson |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |date=22 December 2014 |access-date=16 March 2016}}{{cbignore}} From 2004–05 to 2014–15, Arsenal's players lost 13,161 days through injury, the most in the Premier League, and significantly more than Chelsea in second (7,217). In 2014, Wenger acquired the help of fitness coach Shad Forsythe to solve the problem; statistics revealed a year later that Arsenal's average injury length dropped more than 25% in Forsythe's first season.{{cite news |title=Arsenal improved their injury record by 25% in a year – this is the American coach who helped them do it |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/arsenal-improved-injury-record-25-6054218 |first=Hamish |last=Mackay |newspaper=Daily Mirror |location=London |date=16 July 2015 |access-date=16 March 2016}}

Youth development and scouring for talent abroad is central to Wenger's recruitment policy. He relies on a network of scouts and personal contacts to find and attract talented footballers to play under him. Wenger's strategy is aided by data; for instance, the decision to sign Flamini in 2004 came about as he was looking at statistics to find an understudy to Vieira.{{cite news |title=A football revolution |url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/9471db52-97bb-11e0-9c37-00144feab49a.html |first=Simon |last=Kuper |newspaper=Financial Times |location=London |date=17 June 2011 |access-date=1 March 2016}} {{registration required}} To examine the mental state of a young footballer, he uses psychometric tests conducted by psychologist Jacques Crevoisier once every two years.John Cross. [https://books.google.com/books?id=owo-BQAAQBAJ&dq=wenger+Jacques+Crevoisier&pg=PT295 Arsene Wenger: The Inside Story of Arsenal Under Wenger]. Wenger prides himself on nurturing talent, saying in an interview: "I believe one of the best things about managing people is that we can influence lives in a positive way. That's basically what a manager is about. When I can do that, I am very happy".{{sfnp|Cross|2015|p=167}}

In his early managerial years, Wenger recognised the potential of football in Africa, which influenced his transfer dealings at Monaco.{{sfnp|Lawrence|2014|p=171}} On the recommendation of Claude Le Roy, he signed Liberian George Weah, who later became the first African to be named FIFA World Player of the Year.{{sfnp|Rees|2014|p=66}} Weah, while receiving his award from FIFA president João Havelange and vice-president Lennart Johansson invited Wenger up to the stage, spontaneously giving his medal to the manager, as a token of his appreciation.{{cite news |title=George Weah – unassuming even at the pinnacle of success |url=https://www.fifa.com/ballon-dor/news/y=1996/m=2/news=george-weah-unassuming-even-the-pinnacle-success-71402.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160322220531/http://www.fifa.com/ballon-dor/news/y=1996/m=2/news=george-weah-unassuming-even-the-pinnacle-success-71402.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=22 March 2016 |publisher=FIFA |date=12 February 1996 |access-date=21 February 2016}} During his final years at Monaco, Wenger worked with Roger Mendy, a Senegalese defender regarded in 1991 as one of the ten best African footballers by France Football,{{sfnp|Rees|2014|p=66}} and Nigerian Victor Ikpeba, a forward who earnt the accolade of African Player of the Year.{{cite news |title=France 98 Aces and wild cards: Eagles with clipped wings |first1=Toyin omo |last1=Adelakun |first2=Chris |last2=Taylor |page=30 |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=4 June 1998}} Wenger also fast-tracked young players such as Petit and Lilian Thuram, and handed debuts to Henry and David Trezeguet.{{sfnp|Rees|2014|p=67}}

File:Lilian Thuram - Février 2013.jpg made his debut for Monaco under Wenger.]]

In England, Wenger has used his extensive knowledge of the European transfer market and rulings – particularly in his native France – to recruit players. His first purchase as Arsenal manager was Anelka from Paris Saint-Germain for £500,000, a deal which upset the French club as they received little remuneration.{{sfnp|Hare|2003|p=184}} The player's subsequent sale to Real Madrid just two years later for £23.5 million highlighted Wenger's shrewdness in the transfer market.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2008/jan/16/chelsea |title=Club-class Anelka has always travelled in style |date=16 January 2008 |first=Simon |last=Hattenstone |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |access-date=5 July 2013}}{{cite news |title=This naughty Nic has found a good side |page=66 |first=Ian |last=Chadband |newspaper=London Evening Standard |date=26 January 2007}} He remained in contact with Guillou's Abidjan-based academy, where he discovered future Arsenal players Touré and Emmanuel Eboué,{{cite news |first=Meirion |last=Jones |title=Arsenal face Fifa investigation |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/newsnight/5036342.stm |work=BBC News |date=1 June 2006 |access-date=11 March 2016}} and successfully persuaded Fàbregas and Héctor Bellerín, amongst other La Masia graduates, to leave Barcelona and join him.{{cite news |title=Interview: Arsenal loanee Jon Toral on being at Barça and growing up with Bellerin |url=http://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/interview-arsenal-loanee-jon-toral-being-barca-and-growing-bellerin#:NhbRJE1wgo9eHA |first=Paul |last=Wilkes |magazine=FourFourTwo |date=3 November 2015 |access-date=11 March 2016}} Wenger's recruitment of young players came under criticism from Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, who protested it was tantamount to child trafficking.{{cite news |title=Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger hits back over 'child trafficking' accusation |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/5249602/Arsenal-manager-Arsene-Wenger-hits-back-over-child-trafficking-accusation.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/5249602/Arsenal-manager-Arsene-Wenger-hits-back-over-child-trafficking-accusation.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |first=Richard |last=Bright |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |date=30 April 2009 |access-date=23 May 2012}}{{cbignore}} Wenger refuted the analogy and said, "Look at Santa Cruz at Blackburn. Ask him what age he came to Bayern Munich. Then you have an answer for Rummenigge."

When Arsenal moved to the Emirates Stadium, Wenger prioritised investing in youth instead of purchasing experienced players.{{cite news |title=Arsene Wenger's super outsiders take the faith to Spain |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/apr/07/champions-league-arsenal-villarreal-arsene-wenger |first=David |last=Hytner |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=7 April 2009 |access-date=11 March 2016}} He described it as a way of creating an "identity" with Arsenal: "I felt it would be an interesting experiment to see players grow together with these qualities, and with a love for the club. It was an idealistic vision of the world of football."{{cite news |title=Arsene Wenger: Success – I make it, I won't buy it |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/arsene-wenger-success--i-make-it-i-wont-buy-it-906388.html |first=Glenn |last=Moore |newspaper=The Independent |location=London |date=23 August 2008 |access-date=19 May 2012}} The departure of Dein, coupled with the saturation of the transfer market, meant Wenger struggled to recruit players as efficiently as before.{{sfnp|Cross|2015|p=104–6}} The youth set-up did not replicate the success of the late 1990s and early 2000s, though Arsenal consistently finished fourth or higher in the league between 2006 and 2011. The club earnt a reputation of functioning as a "feeder club" to bigger teams, as Wenger struggled to keep hold of his best players.{{cite news |title=Alisher Usmanov criticises board for turning Arsenal into feeder club |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/jan/28/alisher-usmanov-arsenal-feeder-club |first=Dominic |last=Fifield |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=28 January 2013 |access-date=11 March 2016}} He described this period as "very sensitive" because of the financial restrictions that came with the stadium move.{{cite news |title=Arsene Wenger: Arsenal strong again after 'very sensitive period' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/31771708 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=6 March 2015 |access-date=11 March 2016}} Since the 2011–12 season, Wenger has reverted to buying proven talent,{{cite news |title=Arsène Wenger happy with Arsenal's health after emergency surgery |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2011/dec/16/arsene-wenger-arsenal |first=Amy |last=Lawrence |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=16 December 2011 |access-date=11 March 2016}} and blended experience with youth in domestic cup competitions.{{cite news |title=Arsene Wenger says kids can't cut it in cups anymore |url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11670/10148499/arsene-wenger-says-kids-cant-cut-it-in-cups-anymore |first=Stephen |last=Turner |publisher=Sky Sports |date=30 January 2016 |access-date=11 March 2016}} Arsenal have benefited from increased revenue since the Emirates move, and negotiating new sponsorship deals has allowed Wenger to make marquee signings such as Özil, Sánchez, Granit Xhaka, Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.{{citation needed|date=January 2019}}

Observing Wenger's transfer policy in 2009, Sir Alex Ferguson commented that it lacked balance and needed defensive players to solidify the Arsenal team.{{cite news |title=Arsenal lack balance in transfer dealings, says Manchester United's Alex Ferguson |first=Emily |last=Benammar |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/4785524/Arsenal-lack-balance-in-transfer-dealings-says-Manchester-Uniteds-Alex-Ferguson.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/4785524/Arsenal-lack-balance-in-transfer-dealings-says-Manchester-Uniteds-Alex-Ferguson.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |date=23 February 2009 |access-date=2 March 2016}}{{cbignore}} The players Wenger recruits have often been criticised for their character and leadership capabilities; footballer Joey Barton suggested it was because the manager discouraged them from commanding: "Sometimes you need someone to galvanise and that might be a shouter and bawler. It may not be Arsene's way, but I think they lack that."{{cite news |title=Joey Barton: Lack of spine or character in the Arsenal team |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/29485408 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=3 October 2014 |access-date=2 March 2016}} Wenger is perceived as frugal given his inactivity in transfer windows, but he has denied the stereotype: "Of course people say always to buy but you cannot make careers [and you cannot] buy every time you have an injured player. You know I have the wrong reputation. I'm not scared to spend money. The job of a manager is not to spend as much money."{{cite news |first=Richard |last=Clarke |title=Wenger – I am not scared to spend money |url=http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/wenger-i-am-not-scared-to-spend-money |publisher=Arsenal F.C |date=24 September 2010 |access-date=6 March 2016}}{{clarify|date=July 2023|reason=The last sentence is grammatically incorrect. Can't tell what it should be though, since the link is dead.}}

Wenger's relations with his fellow football managers and officials have not always been genial. In a joint-interview with The Times and Daily Mail in 2009, he explained that his reluctance to trust other managers had been mistaken for discourtesy: "There are managers I respect, and I respect what they do, but you cannot be completely friendly and open up."{{Cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/sport/football/article/arsene-wenger-interview-the-full-transcript-of-matthew-syeds-interview-ws2f3pn0cbb|title=Arsene Wenger interview: the full transcript of Matthew Syed's interview|date=3 August 2023 |via=www.thetimes.co.uk}} He is well known for his rivalry with former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson;{{cite news |title=Rivalry between Arsène Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson unmatched in sport |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2010/jan/31/sir-alex-ferguson-arsene-wenger-rivalry |newspaper=The Observer |location=London |first=Paul |last=Hayward |date=31 January 2010 |access-date=15 July 2012}} beginning in 1997, the dispute reached its culmination in the "Pizzagate" incident at Old Trafford in October 2004.{{cite news |title=Pizzagate: a slice of strife |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2006/sep/15/newsstory.sport1 |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=15 September 2006 |access-date=18 February 2009}} After Manchester United ended Arsenal's 49-game unbeaten Premier League run after being awarded a late penalty, Cesc Fabregas threw a pizza at the opposition in the tunnel.{{cite news |first=Vaishali |last=Bhardwaj |title=Cesc Fabregas reveals he hit then Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson with a slice of pizza in 'Battle of the Buffet' |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/cesc-fabregas-reveals-he-hit-sir-alex-ferguson-with-slice-of-pizza-in-battle-of-the-buffet-a3650561.html |newspaper=London Evening Standard |date=4 October 2017 |access-date=21 April 2018}}{{cite news |title=Wenger denies seeing tunnel food fight |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/wenger-denies-seeing-tunnel-food-fight-0mjjkk330qs |newspaper=The Sunday Times |location=London |date=26 October 2004 |access-date=1 January 2011}} Wenger accused United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy of being "a cheat" in a post-match television interview, and was reprimanded with a £15,000 fine by the Football Association.{{cite news |title=Wenger fined over Ruud outburst |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/4099659.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=16 December 2004 |access-date=1 January 2010}} Both managers later agreed to tone down their words, in an attempt to defuse the rivalry.{{cite news |title=Wenger and Ferguson to end feud |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/4190561.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=20 January 2005 |access-date=1 January 2010}} In his autobiography, Ferguson wrote that the events of "Pizzagate" had "scrambled Arsène's brain" and caused their relationship to break down for almost five years.{{cite news |title=Arsène Wenger rift revealed in Alex Ferguson book |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-united/Sir_Alex_Ferguson/10396056/Arsene-Wenger-rift-revealed-in-Alex-Ferguson-book.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-united/Sir_Alex_Ferguson/10396056/Arsene-Wenger-rift-revealed-in-Alex-Ferguson-book.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |first=Jeremy |last=Wilson |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |date=22 October 2013 |access-date=25 March 2014 |ref=none}}{{cbignore}} By 2009, Wenger noted his rivalry with Ferguson had become "respectful" as Arsenal had ceased competing with Manchester United for major honours.

File:Chelsea 2 Arsenal 0 Top team performance, top of the league. (15265833290).jpg

During October and November 2005, Wenger became embroiled in a war of words with Chelsea manager José Mourinho. Mourinho accused Wenger of having an "unprofessional obsession" with Chelsea and labelled him a "voyeur".{{cite news |title=Arsene Wenger's highs and lows after fourteen years at Arsenal |url=http://metro.co.uk/2010/08/16/arsene-wengers-highs-and-lows-after-fourteen-years-at-arsenal-480050/ |newspaper=Metro |date=16 August 2010 |access-date=3 January 2011}}{{cite news |title=Mourinho labels Wenger a 'voyeur' |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/c/chelsea/4391824.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=31 October 2005 |access-date=1 January 2010}} Mourinho was quoted as saying, "He's worried about us, he's always talking about us – it's [always] Chelsea". Wenger responded by pointing out he was only answering journalists' questions about Chelsea, and described Mourinho's attitude as "disrespectful".{{cite news |title=Angry Wenger hits out at Mourinho |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/4396616.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=1 November 2005 |access-date=3 January 2011}} Mourinho later apologised and clarified that he regretted his "voyeur" comment; Wenger accepted the apology.{{cite news |title=Mourinho regrets 'voyeur' comment |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/chelsea/4554688.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=23 December 2005 |access-date=1 January 2010}} In 2014, Mourinho reopened his feud with Wenger by calling him a "specialist in failure".{{cite news |title=Arsenal's Arsène Wenger is a specialist in failure, claims Chelsea manager |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/feb/14/jose-mourinho-arsene-wenger-chelsea-arsenal |first=Dominic |last=Fifield |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=15 February 2014 |access-date=28 May 2014}} This was in response to Wenger's comments that Chelsea were favourites for the Premier League and managers did not want to take responsibility if they failed to win the title. Wenger said Mourinho's comments were "silly and disrespectful" and had embarrassed Chelsea.{{cite news |title=Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger says Jose Mourinho has embarrassed both himself and Chelsea |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/managers/arsene-wenger/10642777/Arsenal-manager-Arsene-Wenger-says-Jose-Mourinho-has-embarrassed-both-himself-and-Chelsea.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/managers/arsene-wenger/10642777/Arsenal-manager-Arsene-Wenger-says-Jose-Mourinho-has-embarrassed-both-himself-and-Chelsea.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |first=Jeremy |last=Wilson |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |date=16 February 2014 |access-date=28 May 2014}}{{cbignore}} When asked if he regretted his remark, Mourinho replied: "You have to ask him if he regrets the comments he made".{{cite news |title=Jose Mourinho can't resist dig at 'privileged' Arsene Wenger ahead of Chelsea v Arsenal |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/jose-mourinho-cant-resist-dig-at-privileged-arsene-wenger-ahead-of-chelsea-v-arsenal-9207840.html |first=Simon |last=Johnson |newspaper=London Evening Standard |date=21 March 2014 |access-date=28 May 2014}} In October 2014, during a Premier League match between Arsenal and Chelsea, Wenger was involved in a touchline spat with Mourinho.{{cite web |title=Arsene Wenger & Jose Mourinho: Arsenal boss 'no regrets over push' |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/29500091 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=6 November 2014 |date=12 October 2014}} Wenger later apologised for his behaviour.{{cite news |title=Arsène Wenger: 'Did José Mourinho provoke me? That is how I felt' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/oct/12/arsene-wenger-jose-mourinho-provoke-me |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=12 October 2014 |access-date=6 November 2014}}

Wenger has directed his anger towards referees when decisions have not gone his team's way. In August 2000, he was charged with "alleged threatening behaviour and physical intimidation" towards fourth official Paul Taylor, after Arsenal's 1–0 defeat at Sunderland on the opening day of the 2000–01 season.{{cite news |title=Wenger charged with 'intimidation' of fourth official |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2000/aug/23/newsstory.sport11 |newspaper=The Guardian |date=21 August 2000 |access-date=4 November 2011 |location=London}} An FA disciplinary commission found Wenger guilty; he received a 12-match touchline ban and a fine of four weeks' salary.{{cite news |title=Wenger hit by 12-match dug-out ban |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/premier-league/4773429/Wenger-hit-by-12-match-dug-out-ban.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/premier-league/4773429/Wenger-hit-by-12-match-dug-out-ban.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |first=Christopher |last=Davies |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |date=11 October 2000 |access-date=4 November 2011}}{{cbignore}} He successfully appealed the ban, but was reprimanded and fined £10,000 for his actions.{{cite news |title=FA drop 12-match touchline ban on Wenger |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/2998039/FA-drop-12-match-touchline-ban-on-Wenger.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/2998039/FA-drop-12-match-touchline-ban-on-Wenger.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |first=Christopher |last=Davies |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |date=2 February 2001 |access-date=4 November 2011}}{{cbignore}} Following the 2007 Football League Cup Final, he called a linesman a liar, for stating Emmanuel Adebayor aimed a punch at Chelsea's Frank Lampard.{{cite news |title=Wenger out of order, says ex-ref |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/6417007.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=4 March 2007 |access-date=1 January 2010}} This led to an investigation by the FA, a fine of £2,500 and a warning.{{cite news |title=Wenger given fine & warning by FA |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/6561059.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=17 April 2007 |access-date=1 January 2010}}

In March 2011, Wenger was charged with improper conduct by UEFA, over comments made to referee Massimo Busacca, after his team's defeat to Barcelona.{{cite news |title=Arsenal's Arsene Wenger and Samir Nasri charged by Uefa |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/9419995.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=9 March 2011 |access-date=3 February 2012}} He was fined €10,000 and suspended for one UEFA club competition match; however, the ban was later extended to a further two games, after Wenger was found guilty of communicating with Arsenal's bench while serving a touchline ban against Udinese.{{cite news |title=Wenger, Nasri and Jordan suspended for one match |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/01ef-0e779262b982-abbbeea23939-1000--wenger-nasri-and-jordan-suspended-for-one-match/ |publisher=UEFA |date=17 March 2011 |access-date=3 February 2012}}{{cite news |title=Wenger suspended for next two matches |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/01f4-0e794693fb73-ebae18bf711c-1000--wenger-suspended-for-next-two-matches/ |publisher=UEFA |date=22 August 2011 |access-date=3 February 2012}} A year later, Wenger was charged for post-match comments made about referee Damir Skomina, in Arsenal's defeat to Milan in the Champions League.{{cite news |title=Three-match ban for Wenger |url=http://www.uefa.org/disciplinary/news/newsid=1777101.html |publisher=UEFA |date=30 March 2012 |access-date=15 May 2012}} He was fined £33,000 and handed a three-match touchline ban in the competition.

File:In Arsene We Trust.jpg

At Arsenal, Wenger has enjoyed a great deal of support and backing from the club board of directors, who demonstrated exceptional faith in the manager and his long-term vision.{{cite news |title=Wenger: Fans must keep the faith |url=http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/sport/wenger-fans-must-keep-the-faith-445075.html |newspaper=Irish Examiner |location=Cork |date=6 February 2010 |access-date=3 January 2011}} His arrival at the club prompted a change in their football style – once derided as "boring, boring Arsenal" for a lack of creativity,{{cite news |first=John |last=May |title=No more boring, boring Arsenal |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/3037789.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=19 May 2003 |access-date=21 June 2016}} pundit Alan Hansen described the 2004 team as "quite simply the most fluid, devastating team the British Isles has seen".{{cite news |title=United no longer the dominant force |first=Alan |last=Hansen |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/columnists/alanhansen/2374437/United-no-longer-the-dominant-force.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/columnists/alanhansen/2374437/United-no-longer-the-dominant-force.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |date=8 March 2004 |access-date=10 August 2012}}{{cbignore}} Brian Clough once quipped: "Arsenal caress a football the way I dreamed of caressing Marilyn Monroe".{{cite news |title=Why Arsène Wenger is one of the greats |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/0244-0e98b175f011-c272afd4feb6-1000--why-arsene-wenger-is-one-of-the-greats/ |publisher=UEFA |date=20 April 2020 |access-date=15 August 2021}} Wenger himself reflected that his greatest legacy at Arsenal would be the style he implemented.{{cite news |title=Wenger proud of attacking legacy |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/7642008.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=29 September 2008 |access-date=10 August 2012}} Supporters regularly display banners such as "Arsène knows" and "In Arsène we trust" during home matches, though there became a growing number of protests against his management.{{cite news |title=It is too early to call for Arsene Wenger's head but faith in him cannot last indefinitely |first=Alan |last=Smith |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/03/13/it-is-too-early-to-call-for-arsene-wengers-head-but-faith-in-him/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/03/13/it-is-too-early-to-call-for-arsene-wengers-head-but-faith-in-him/ |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |newspaper=The Independent |location=London |date=13 March 2016 |access-date=23 June 2016}}{{cbignore}}

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| audio1 = "[https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b013f7pf Arsène Wenger – Profile]"
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2011}}

Dein described Wenger as the most important manager in the club's history: "Arsène's a miracle worker. He's revolutionised the club. He's turned players into world-class players. Since he has been here, we have seen football from another planet".{{cite news |title=Arsenal sign Wenger with expert timing |first=Henry |last=Winter |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/3018234/Arsenal-sign-Wenger-with-expert-timing.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/3018234/Arsenal-sign-Wenger-with-expert-timing.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |date=6 December 2001 |access-date=3 July 2006}}{{cbignore}} Former Watford manager Graham Taylor said of Wenger in 2002: "I believe his biggest contribution to football is getting across the idea that players have to prepare right and look after themselves".{{cite news |title=Football: Taylor among activists to Wenger's revolution |first=Vince |last=Ellis |url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Football%3A+Taylor+among+activists+to+Wenger's+revolution%3B+ARSENAL+v...-a094746921 |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=30 November 2002 |access-date=18 May 2012}} Wenger's loyalty towards financial fair play and handling of Arsenal's debt since their stadium move has earnt him praise, not least from American baseball general manager Billy Beane, who in particular lauded his transfer strategy.{{cite news |title=Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger is an idol of mine, says revered baseball coach Billy Beane |first=Chris |last=Bascombe |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/8823275/Arsenal-manager-Arsene-Wenger-is-an-idol-of-mine-says-revered-baseball-coach-Billy-Beane.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/8823275/Arsenal-manager-Arsene-Wenger-is-an-idol-of-mine-says-revered-baseball-coach-Billy-Beane.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |date=13 October 2011 |access-date=3 February 2012}}{{cbignore}} A survey in 2007 found Wenger was the only Premier League manager to have made a profit on transfers,{{cite news |title=Wenger comes out tops as savvy boss |url=http://news.sky.com/story/532690/wenger-comes-out-tops-as-savvy-boss |publisher=Sky News |date=10 August 2007 |access-date=2 January 2011}} and between 2004 and 2009, he made an average profit of £4.4 million per season on transfers, far more than any other club.{{cite news |url=http://sport.irishexaminer.com/post/2010/01/21/Why-football-owes-Wenger-a-debt-of-gratitude.aspx |title=Why football owes Wenger a debt of gratitude |newspaper=Irish Examiner |location=Cork |date=21 January 2010 |access-date=3 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531135641/http://sport.irishexaminer.com/post/2010/01/21/Why-football-owes-Wenger-a-debt-of-gratitude.aspx |archive-date=31 May 2011 |url-status=dead}}

File:16 Arsene Wenger bust (28861710686).jpg

Though Wenger established Arsenal as UEFA Champions League regulars, he never won a continental competition – he was a Champions League and UEFA Cup runner-up with Arsenal and a Cup Winners' Cup runner-up with Monaco – often considered a blemish on his managerial career.{{cite news |first=Sam |last=Wallace |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/02/25/can-arsene-wenger-be-classed-an-all-time-great-without-a-champio/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/02/25/can-arsene-wenger-be-classed-an-all-time-great-without-a-champio/ |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Can Arsene Wenger be classed an all-time great without a Champions League triumph at Arsenal? |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |date=25 February 2016 |access-date=23 June 2016}}{{cbignore}} Writer Michael Calvin argues despite the European failings, Wenger should still be considered one of the greats in football: "[He] has been the best, most influential manager of the modern era. His job has involved managing change, and all the hypocrisy which comes with that. In a world where incoherence is routinely hailed as innovation, he has been a true visionary".{{cite news |first=Michael |last=Calvin |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/arsene-wenger-is-best-of-this-era-but-brian-clough-s-cup-coup-still-stands-out-a6941466.html |title=Arsene Wenger is best of this era but Brian Clough's cup coup still stands out |newspaper=The Independent |location=London |date=19 March 2016 |access-date=23 June 2016}} {{subscription required}} Wenger's stubbornness to follow his idealistic vision of football was heavily criticised during his second decade at Arsenal. In 2016, Henry Winter reasoned the Frenchman's methods no longer gave him an advantage over others, and he needed to adapt or resign.{{cite news |first=Henry |last=Winter |url=http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/sport/football/article4702643.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160229234200/http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/sport/football/article4702643.ece |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 February 2016 |title=Arsène Wenger must change now – or resign |newspaper=The Times |location=London |date=1 March 2016 |access-date=23 June 2016}} {{subscription required}} Winter also suggested the club was content with lucrative top-four finishes, and the manager needed tough individuals to challenge him. Ferguson however expressed admiration in Wenger's consistency and obstinate nature: "He stays with what he believes in. And I think people who do that are outstanding coaches".{{cite news |url=http://news.sky.com/story/1703508/ferguson-praises-former-arch-rival-wenger |title=Ferguson praises former arch-rival Wenger |publisher=Sky News |date=28 May 2016 |access-date=23 June 2016}}

Wenger was awarded France's highest decoration, the Legion of Honour, in 2002.{{cite news |title=Wenger awarded premier French honour |url=http://uk.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/newsid=28280.html |publisher=UEFA |date=17 July 2002 |access-date=3 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120505183056/http://uk.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/newsid=28280.html |archive-date=5 May 2012 |url-status=dead}} He was appointed an Honorary Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2003 Birthday Honours for services to football.{{cite news |title=Moore heads honours roll call |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/2988090.stm |work=BBC News |date=14 June 2003 |access-date=1 January 2010 }} At Arsenal's valedictory campaign at Highbury throughout the 2005–06 season, supporters showed appreciation by holding a "Wenger Day" as one of various themed matchdays. It was held on his 56th birthday, on 22 October 2005, in a league match against Manchester City.{{cite web |title=It's Wenger Day at Highbury! |url=http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/it-s-wenger-day-at-highbury- |publisher=Arsenal F.C |date=22 October 2005 |access-date=2 January 2011}} Wenger was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame in 2006, along with former England manager Ron Greenwood.{{cite news |title=Wor Jackie joins the Hall of Fame |url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Wor+Jackie+joins+the+Hall+of+Fame.-a0151122816 |first=John |last=Gibson |newspaper=Evening Chronicle |location=Newcastle |date=20 October 2006 |access-date=16 December 2012}} Furthermore, a commissioned bronze bust of Wenger, similar to the earlier version of Herbert Chapman, was unveiled as a tribute to him by the board of directors of Arsenal, at the club's annual general meeting in October 2007.{{cite web |title=Arsenal commission bust of Arsène Wenger |url=http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/arsenal-commission-bust-of-ars-egrave-ne-wenger |publisher=Arsenal F.C |date=18 October 2007 |access-date=2 January 2011}} Wenger had an asteroid, 33179 Arsènewenger, named after him by astronomer Ian P. Griffin, who states Arsenal as his favourite football club.{{cite web |first=Alan |last=Chamberlin |url=http://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/sbdb.cgi?sstr=33179;orb=1;cov=0#orb |title=JPL Small-Body Database Browser |publisher=Ssd.jpl.nasa |date=26 October 2007 |access-date=31 October 2009}}{{cite web |url=http://web.mac.com/i_griffin/Ian_Griffins_Website/Arsenewenger.html |title=Arsenewenger |publisher=Macintosh |date=21 November 2007 |access-date=31 October 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110520100408/http://web.mac.com/i_griffin/Ian_Griffins_Website/Arsenewenger.html |archive-date=20 May 2011}}

In May 2016, the Stade Arsène Wenger was officially opened near Strasbourg, where Wenger was born. The stadium is the new home of USL Dippinheim and holds a capacity of 500 people.{{cite news |title=Arsène Wenger inaugure un stade à son nom en Alsace |url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Arsene-wenger-inaugure-un-stade-a-son-nom-en-alsace/680298 |newspaper=L'Équipe |location=Paris |language=fr |date=23 May 2016 |access-date=22 June 2016}} In July 2023, Arsenal unveiled an official statue of Wenger holding the "Invincible" Premier League trophy outside the Emirates Stadium, joining the likes of Dennis Bergkamp, Tony Adams, and Herbert Chapman to be commemorated in such a way outside the stadium.{{cite news |title=Arsenal unveil Arsene Wenger bronze statue outside Emirates Stadium |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/66341181 |newspaper=BBC |location=London |access-date=28 May 2023}}

Wenger was one of the first managers in English football to scout abroad for talent. His double-winning team of 1998 was described by editor Jason Cowley as "a model of racial and multicultural integration. They were the first truly globalised team".{{cite news |title=The French revolutionary |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2006/may/14/sport.comment |newspaper=The Observer |location=London |first=Jason |last=Cowley |date=14 May 2006 |access-date=15 May 2012}} Richard Jolly writing for The National added that Wenger aided the Premier League's globalisation and "showed the merit of hiring foreign managers on the basis of their record abroad".{{cite news |title=Standing at 1000, greatest number is one |url=http://www.thenational.ae/sport/standing-at-1-000-greatest-number-is-one |newspaper=The National |location=London |first=Richard |last=Jolly |date=21 March 2014 |access-date=18 May 2014}} Wenger himself felt he had changed attitudes towards foreign managers in England:

{{blockquote|There was a history and belief in England that the foreign manager could not be successful. Now you have a different feeling, now you think only foreign managers can be successful. That is wrong as well. I believe I contributed to the change in attitude about foreign managers. That can look pretentious but I don't think it is at all. I can show some articles where people tried to prove that the foreign managers can never win an English championship. That has changed and I have certainly contributed to that. But I am also one of the few who also defends English managers.{{cite news |title=Arsenal were crazy to appoint me, says Arsène Wenger |first=Jamie |last=Jackson |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/sep/28/arsene-wenger-arsenal-manager |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=28 September 2009 |access-date=17 July 2013}}}}

File:ENG-BEL (33).jpg and England at the 2018 FIFA World Cup]]

The continued influx of foreign players at Arsenal has, however, attracted criticism. In a league match against Crystal Palace on 14 February 2005, Arsenal fielded a 16-man squad that featured no British players for the first time in the club's history. This prompted Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) chief executive Gordon Taylor to express it would begin "a worrying pattern for English football".{{cite news |title=Critics fire salvo at all-foreign Arsenal |first=Toby |last=Manhire |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2005/feb/17/sport.comment |newspaper=The Guardian |date=17 February 2005 |access-date=30 June 2012 |location=London}} A year later, manager Alan Pardew commented that Arsenal's Champions League success was "not necessarily a triumph for British football".{{cite news |title=This was no English victory says Taylor |first=Josie |last=Morris |url=http://football.guardian.co.uk/championsleague200506/story/0,,1727709,00.html |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=10 March 2006 |access-date=3 July 2006}} Wenger saw the issue of nationality as irrelevant and said, "When you represent a club, it's about values and qualities, not about passports".{{cite news |title=Wenger in racism row |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2333481/Wenger-in-racism-row.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2333481/Wenger-in-racism-row.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |first=Henry |last=Winter |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |date=11 March 2006 |access-date=6 August 2012}}{{cbignore}} Other pundits including Trevor Brooking, the director of football development at the FA, have defended Wenger. Brooking has stated that a lack of English players in "one of England's most successful clubs" was more of a reflection on England's limited talent pool rather than on Wenger, an opinion shared by youth-team coach and former Liverpool player Craig Johnston.{{cite news |title=English kids are technically inferior, claims Brooking |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=361745&cc=5739 |publisher=ESPNSoccernet |date=15 March 2006 |access-date=3 July 2006 |archive-date=6 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081206140505/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=361745&cc=5739 |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |title=We are being conned |url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11979_2899637,00.html |publisher=Sky Sports |date=23 November 2007 |access-date=3 February 2011}}

Several English players have started their careers at Arsenal under Wenger, such as Ashley Cole, David Bentley and Matthew Upson,{{cite news |title=Walcott deal can't hide Wenger's foreign fancy |page=63 |first=Raoul |last=Simons |newspaper=London Evening Standard |date=23 January 2006}} Wenger commented that an advantage of building his team around British players was the guarantee of stability.{{Cite web|last=Van Wijk|first=Jim|title=Arsenal should build around young British players like Jack Wilshere, says Arsene Wenger|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/arsenal-should-build-around-young-british-players-like-jack-wilshere-says-arsene-wenger-8360129.html|access-date=18 May 2014|website=The Independent|date=27 November 2012|location=London}}

In his early years at Arsenal, Wenger was scrutinised for the club's poor disciplinary record; Winter in 2003 described it as "little short of a crime-wave",{{cite news |title=Wayward Arsenal are sentenced |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/columnists/henrywinter/2424309/Wayward-Arsenal-are-sentenced.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/columnists/henrywinter/2424309/Wayward-Arsenal-are-sentenced.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |first=Henry |last=Winter |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |date=31 October 2003 |access-date=11 September 2015}}{{cbignore}} while chairman Peter Hill-Wood admitted the players' conduct was unacceptable.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/champions_league/1833381.stm |title=Arsenal admit discipline problem |publisher=BBC Sport |date=21 February 2002 |access-date=11 September 2015}} Between September 1996 and February 2014, the team received 100 red cards. Wenger has often tried to defend his players, involved in controversial incidents on the field, by saying that he has not seen the incident; this is an option he resorts to when there is no "rational explanation" to defend him, and that he has the player's best interests in mind.{{cite news |title=FA quizzes Wenger about comments |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/4539160.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=19 December 2005 |access-date=1 January 2010}}{{cite news |title=Wenger admits to 'selective vision' |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/8201233.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=14 August 2009 |access-date=14 August 2009}} However, in both 2004 and 2005, Arsenal topped the Premier League's Fair Play League tables for sporting behaviour and finished second in 2006.{{cite web |url=http://www.thefa.com/Features/EnglishDomestic/Postings/2004/08/Arsenal_FairPlay.htm |archive-url=https://archive.today/20041027082515/http://www.thefa.com/Features/EnglishDomestic/Postings/2004/08/Arsenal_FairPlay.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=27 October 2004 |title=Fair Play to Gunners |publisher=The Football Association |access-date=3 July 2006}}{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2359869/Round-up-Drogba-to-stay.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2359869/Round-up-Drogba-to-stay.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Round-up: Drogba to stay |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=19 May 2005 |access-date=3 February 2012 |location=London}}{{cbignore}}{{cite web |url=http://www.premierleague.com/public/downloads/publications/Fair_Play_May_06.pdf |title=Barclays Premiership 2005/06 Fair Play League |publisher=Premier League |access-date=13 August 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060923111427/http://www.premierleague.com/public/downloads/publications/Fair_Play_May_06.pdf |archive-date=23 September 2006 }} Their record as one of the most sporting clubs in the division continued up to 2009, where the team featured in the top four of the Fair Play table.{{cite web |url=http://www.premierleague.com/staticFiles/42/ef/0,,12306~126786,00.pdf |title=Barclays Premier League 2007/2008 Fair Play League |publisher=Premier League |access-date=2 September 2009 |archive-date=6 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081206023004/http://www.premierleague.com/staticFiles/42/ef/0,,12306~126786,00.pdf |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |title=Arsenal finish third in Fair Play League |url=http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/fair-play-league |publisher=Arsenal F.C |date=24 May 2009 |access-date=1 January 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121120183308/http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/fair-play-league |archive-date=20 November 2012}} Wenger's team again topped the fair play table for the 2009–10 season.{{cite news |title=Arsenal top Premier League Fair Play table |url=http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/arsenal-top-premier-league-fair-play-table |publisher=Arsenal F.C |date=14 May 2010 |access-date=1 January 2011}}

In February 1999, Wenger offered Sheffield United a replay of their FA Cup fifth round match immediately after the match had finished, due to the controversial circumstances in which it was won.{{cite news |title=Mr Ruthless reveals a taste for fair play |first=Dominic |last=Turnbull |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/mr-ruthless-reveals-a-taste-for-fair-play-1070743.html |newspaper=The Independent |location=London |date=14 February 1999 |access-date=3 January 2011}} The decisive goal was scored by Overmars after Kanu failed to return the ball to the opposition; it was kicked into touch to allow Sheffield United's Lee Morris to receive treatment for an injury.{{cite news |title=Arsenal cut prices for Cup rematch |first=Tommy |last=Staniforth |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-arsenal-cut-prices-for-cup-rematch-1071264.html |newspaper=The Independent |location=London |date=16 February 1999 |access-date=3 January 2011}} Arsenal went on to win the replayed match 2–1.{{cite news |title=Overmars has gift of second sight |first=Martin |last=Thorpe |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/1999/feb/24/match.sport |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=24 February 1999 |access-date=3 January 2011}}

Wenger was married to former basketball player Annie Brosterhous, with whom he has one daughter, Léa (born 1997). Wenger and Brosterhous legally separated in 2015.{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/arsene-wenger-arsenal-manager-splits-from-wife-annie-with-couple-not-together-since-june-10513503.html |title=Arsene Wenger: Arsenal manager splits from wife Annie with couple not together since June |date=23 September 2015 |newspaper=The Independent |location=London |access-date=23 September 2015}} Wenger resides in Totteridge, London, and spends his leisure time predominantly studying football matches; he once stated that he "watches games on most days", and holds an interest in politics.{{cite news |title=Chalk and chalk |first=Ian |last=Ridley |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/1999/may/16/newsstory.sport11 |newspaper=The Observer |location=London |date=16 May 1999 |access-date=1 July 2012}} Away from managerial duties, he acted as a football consultant for French television station TF1 from 2004 to 2014,{{cite news |title=Ligue des champions : " Mon cher Arsène ", ce consultant vedette lâché par TF1 |url=http://www.lemonde.fr/football/article/2015/02/19/mon-cher-arsene-ce-consultant-vedette-lache-par-tf1_4579990_1616938.html |newspaper=Le Monde |date=19 February 2015 |access-date=20 March 2016 |language=fr}} and has worked for beIN Sports since 2016.{{cite news |title=Euro 2016: Arsène Wenger sera consultant sur beIN Sports |url=http://sport24.lefigaro.fr/le-scan-sport/medias/2016/03/02/27005-20160302ARTFIG00167-euro-2016-arsene-wenger-sera-consultant-sur-bein-sports.php |newspaper=Le Figaro |date=2 March 2016 |access-date=20 March 2016 |language=fr}} Wenger was a world brand ambassador for FIFA World Cup sponsor Castrol.{{cite news |title=Arsène Wenger signs for Castrol |url=http://www.castrol.com/castrol/genericarticle.do?categoryId=8278043&contentId=7052191 |publisher=Castrol |date=25 March 2009 |access-date=31 August 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130130142606/http://www.castrol.com/castrol/genericarticle.do?categoryId=8278043&contentId=7052191 |archive-date=30 January 2013 |url-status=dead }} As part of the arrangement, he conducted several training camps for international youth teams worldwide to provide input to the Castrol Performance Index, FIFA's official ratings system.{{cite news |title=Arsene Wenger on a roll, statistically speaking |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/arsene-wenger-on-a-roll-statistically-speaking-3wjxv3jfjx8 |newspaper=The Times |first=Nick |last=Szczepanik |date=12 October 2007 |access-date=25 July 2012}} {{subscription required}}

He has authored a book on football management exclusively for the Japanese market, {{nihongo|Shōsha no Esupuri|勝者のエスプリ|lit. The Spirit of Conquest}} in English, published by Japan Broadcast Publishing (a subsidiary of NHK) in August 1997.{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/switch-language/product/4140803215?language=en_JP |title=Amazon.co.jp: 勝者のエスプリ: アーセン ベンゲル, Arsène Wenger: 本 |publisher=Amazon Japan |access-date=2 September 2009}} The book highlights his managerial philosophy, ideals, and values, as well as his thoughts on Japanese football and the game as a whole.

Wenger is a Roman Catholic, and he attributes his outlook and values to his religious upbringing in Alsace.{{cite news |url=https://apnews.com/f86bffb2e4a84eccb2c0f9a0bd81b88c|work=Associated Press |first=Rob |last=Harris |title=AP Interview: Wenger's faith, football and future |date=10 October 2013}}{{Cite book|last=Wenger|first=Arsene|title=My Life in Red and White: My Autobiography|id={{ASIN|1474618243|country=uk}}|translator-last=Hahn|translator-first=Daniel|translator-last2=Reece|translator-first2=Andrea}} He grew up speaking French and German, and studied English on a three-week course in Cambridge, learning Italian, and Spanish to help his career.{{Cite news |last=Ganesh |first=Janan |date=11 April 2014 |title=Arsène Wenger: Patience wears thin with Le Professeur |url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/86c02760-c004-11e3-9513-00144feabdc0.html |newspaper=Financial Times |access-date=12 April 2014}} He also has a working knowledge of Japanese.{{cite news |title=United by passion, divided by ambition, Ferguson and Wenger define an era |first=Kevin |last=McCarra |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2003/apr/16/sport.comment |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=16 April 2003 |access-date=15 May 2012}}

In 2010, Wenger appealed for privacy after a British newspaper alleged he had an affair with a French singer. Wenger said in a statement that he wished to deal with the matter privately.{{cite news|url=https://www.odt.co.nz/sport/football/football-wenger-appeals-privacy-after-affair-claims|title=Football: Wenger appeals for privacy after affair claims|date=7 November 2010|work=Otago Daily Times}}

On 13 October 2020, Wenger's second book, My Life in Red & White: My Autobiography, was published by W&N, translated from French.

{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}

{{updated|13 May 2018}}{{cite web |url=https://www.soccerbase.com/managers/manager.sd?manager_id=92 |title=Managers: Arsene Wenger |website=Soccerbase |publisher=Centurycomm |access-date=9 January 2019}}

Mutzig{{cite web |url=https://racingstub.com/persons/101/ |title=Arsene Wenger |language=fr |website=Racing Stub.com|date=22 October 1949 }}

• Coupe d'Alsace: 1971

Vauban

• Coupe d'Alsace: 1977
• Division d'Honneur Alsace: 1977

RC Strasbourg{{cite web |url=http://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/arsene-wenger-one-one |title=Arsene Wenger: One-on-One |website=Four Four Two.com|date=December 2007 }}

• Division 1: 1978–79
• Coupe d'Alsace: 1980

File:GoldInvinciblesTrophy.jpg commissioned a unique gold trophy to commemorate Arsenal's achievement of winning the 2003–04 league unbeaten. Wenger was given the trophy as a parting gift from the club after his last home game as manager on 6 May 2018.{{cite news |title=Arsenal award departing manager Arsene Wenger golden 'Invincibles' trophy |url=http://sport.bt.com/football/arsenal-award-departing-manager-arsene-wenger-golden-invincibles-trophy-S11364269108893 |publisher=BT Sport |date=6 May 2018 |access-date=9 May 2018}}]]

Monaco

• Division 1: 1987–88
• Coupe de France: 1990–91

Nagoya Grampus

• Emperor's Cup: 1995
• Japanese Super Cup: 1996

Arsenal

• Premier League: 1997–98, 2001–02, 2003–04{{cite web |url=https://www.premierleague.com/managers/1137/Arsène-Wenger/overview |title=Manager profile: Arsène Wenger |publisher=Premier League |access-date=22 May 2018}}
• FA Cup: 1997–98, 2001–02, 2002–03, 2004–05, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2016–17
• FA Charity/Community Shield: 1998, 1999, 2002, 2004, 2014, 2015, 2017

Individual

• J. League Manager of the Year: 1995{{cite web |url=http://ultra.zone/jleague-mvp-best-eleven-top-scorer |title=Jリーグ 歴代のMVP・ベストイレブン・得点王 |language=ja |website=Ultra Zone}}
• Onze d'Or Coach of The Year: 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/onze-awards.html |title="Onze Mondial" Awards |publisher=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation}}
• Premier League Manager of the Season: 1997–98, 2001–02, 2003–04
• LMA Manager of the Year: 2001–02, 2003–04{{cite web |title=Wenger picks up another double |url=http://www.leaguemanagers.com/news/news-2283.html |publisher=League Managers Association |date=14 May 2002 |access-date=3 May 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203000059/http://www.leaguemanagers.com/news/news-2283.html |archive-date=3 December 2013}}{{cite news |title=Wenger secures LMA award |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/3723881.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=18 May 2004 |access-date=28 May 2009}}
• BBC Sports Personality of the Year Coach Award: 2002, 2004{{cite news |title=Wenger at the Double |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/special_events/sports_personality_2002/2542591.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=8 December 2002 |access-date=1 January 2010}}{{cite news |title=BBC Sports Personality: The winners |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/front_page/4085337.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=12 December 2002 |access-date=1 January 2010}}
• London Football Awards – Outstanding Contribution to a London Club: 2015{{cite web |url=http://www.whtimes.co.uk/news/chelsea_tottenham_and_arsenal_honoured_at_london_football_awards_but_willow_foundation_true_winners_1_3987277 |title=Willow Foundation true winners |website=WH Times.co.uk |date=10 March 2015 |access-date=16 March 2017 |archive-date=10 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190110073846/https://www.whtimes.co.uk/news/chelsea-tottenham-and-arsenal-honoured-at-london-football-awards-but-willow-foundation-true-winners-1-3987277 |url-status=dead }}
• World Soccer Manager of the Year: 1998{{cite web |url=http://www.worldsoccer.com/features/world-soccer-awards-claudio-ranieri-scoops-accolade-for-best-manager-391728 |title=World Soccer Awards 2016 |website=World Soccer.com|date=December 2016 }}
• FWA Tribute Award: 2005{{cite web |url=http://www.footballwriters.co.uk/news/arsene-wenger-tribute/ |title=Arsene Wenger Tribute |publisher=Football Writers' Association |date=16 January 2007 |access-date=31 October 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120227072521/http://www.footballwriters.co.uk/news/arsene-wenger-tribute/ |archive-date=27 February 2012 |url-status=dead }}
• English Football Hall of Fame: 2006
• France Football Manager of the Year: 2008{{cite web |url=http://www.leaguemanagers.com/managers/arsene-wenger-obe/ |title=Arsene Wenger |website=League Managers.com |access-date=17 March 2017 |archive-date=10 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210910071514/https://leaguemanagers.com/managers/arsene-wenger-obe/ |url-status=dead }}
• IFFHS World Coach of the Decade: 2001–2010{{cite news |title=Wenger voted World Coach of the Decade |url=http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/arsene-wenger-voted-world-coach-of-the-decade |publisher=Arsenal F.C |date=10 January 2011 |access-date=11 January 2011}}
• Facebook FA Premier League Manager of the Year: 2014–15{{cite news |title=Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez wins Player of the Year at inaugural Facebook Football Awards |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/arsenals-alexis-sanchez-wins-player-5766579 |access-date=14 August 2015 |publisher=Premier League |date=26 May 2015}}
• Premier League Manager of the Month: March 1998, April 1998, October 2000, April 2002, September 2002, August 2003, February 2004, August 2004, September 2007, December 2007, February 2011, February 2012, September 2013, March 2015, October 2015
• France Football 32nd Greatest Manager of All Time: 2019{{cite web |url=https://www.francefootball.fr/magazine/?prov=W-HP-LBMU|title=Top 50 des coaches de l'histoire|publisher=France Football |date=19 March 2019 |access-date=19 March 2019}}
• World Soccer 36th Greatest Manager of All Time: 2013{{cite web|title=The Greatest Manager of all time|url=http://www.worldsoccer.com/features/the-greatest-manager-of-all-time-341473|publisher=World Soccer|author=Jamie Rainbow|date=4 July 2013}}{{cite web|title=The Greatest XI: how the panel voted|url=http://www.worldsoccer.com/features/the-greatest-xi-how-the-panel-voted|publisher=World Soccer|author=Jamie Rainbow|date=2 July 2013|access-date=21 December 2019|archive-date=1 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150101233404/http://www.worldsoccer.com/features/the-greatest-xi-how-the-panel-voted|url-status=dead}}
• Laureus Lifetime Achievement Award: 2019{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2019/02/19/jose-mourinho-names-arsene-wenger-one-best-managers-football/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2019/02/19/jose-mourinho-names-arsene-wenger-one-best-managers-football/ |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Jose Mourinho names Arsene Wenger 'one of the best managers in football history' in awards tribute|first=Kate|last=Rowan|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=19 February 2019|via=www.telegraph.co.uk}}{{cbignore}}
• Premier League Hall of Fame: 2023{{cite web |url=https://www.premierleague.com/news/3123408 |title=Ferguson and Wenger inducted into Premier League Hall of Fame |date=29 March 2023 |publisher=Premier League |access-date=29 March 2023}}

Orders

• Knight of the Legion of Honour: 2002
• Honorary Officer of the Order of the British Empire: 2003
• Freedom of Islington: 2004{{cite web |url=http://www.islington.gov.uk/islington/news-events/news-releases/2004/10/Pages/839.aspx |title=Freedom of Islington for Arsenal pair |publisher=Islington Council |date=29 October 2004 |access-date=15 July 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141216205723/http://www.islington.gov.uk/islington/news-events/news-releases/2004/10/Pages/839.aspx |archive-date=16 December 2014}}
• Knight Grand Commander of the Humane Order of African Redemption: 2018{{Cite web |url=https://punchng.com/weah-under-attack-over-wenger-le-roy/ |title=Weah under attack over Wenger, Le Roy – Punch Newspapers |website=The Punch |date=23 August 2018 |access-date=25 August 2018}}{{Cite news |url=https://guardian.ng/sport/weah-honours-former-coaches-wenger-and-leroy/ |newspaper=The Guardian |title=Weah honours former coaches Wenger and LeRoy |access-date=25 August 2018}}
• Officer of the Legion of Honour: 2019{{cite journal |date=1 January 2020 |title=Décret du 31 décembre 2019 portant promotion et nomination dans l'ordre national de la Légion d'honneur |trans-title=Decree of 31 December 2019 on promotion and appointment to the National Order of the Legion of Honour |url=https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jorf/id/JORFTEXT000039726325 |journal=Official Journal of the French Republic |volume=2020 |issue=1 |id=PRER1928589D |access-date=9 March 2025 |language=fr}}

• List of English football championship winning managers
• List of FA Cup winning managers
• List of longest managerial reigns in association football
• List of Arsenal F.C. managers

{{reflist|group=nb}}

{{reflist}}

{{refbegin}}

• {{cite book |last=Cox |first=Michael |editor-last=Mangan |editor-first=Andrew |title=So Paddy Got Up: An Arsenal anthology |publisher=Portnoy Publishing |pages=90–97 |chapter=Chapter 12: Arsène Wenger and tactics |isbn=978-0-9569813-7-0 |date=7 December 2011 }}
• {{cite book |last=Cross |first=John |title=Arsène Wenger: The Inside Story of Arsenal Under Wenger |year=2015 |publisher=Simon and Schuster |location=London |isbn=978-1-4711-3793-8}}
• {{cite book |last=Hare |first=Geoff |title=Football in France |year=2003 |publisher=Berg Publishers |isbn=978-1-85973-662-3}}
• {{cite book |last=Lawrence |first=Amy |title=Invincible: Inside Arsenal's Unbeaten 2003–04 Season |year=2014 |publisher=Penguin |location=London |isbn=978-0-241-97050-8}}
• {{cite book |last=Long |first=Michael H. |title=Second Language Needs Analysis |year=2005 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-0-521-61821-2}}
• {{cite book |last=Oldfield |first=Tom |title=Arsène Wenger – Pure Genius |year=2010 |publisher=John Blake Publishing |location=London |isbn=978-1-84358-681-4}}
• {{cite book |last=Palmer |first=Myles |title=The Professor: Arsène Wenger |year=2008 |publisher=Virgin Books |location=London |isbn=978-0-7535-1097-1}}
• {{cite book |last=Rees |first=Jasper |title=Wenger: The Legend |year=2014 |publisher=Short Books |location=London |isbn=978-1-78072-220-7}}
• {{cite book |last=Rivoire |first=Xavier |title=Arsène Wenger: The Biography |year=2011 |publisher=Aurum Books |location=London |isbn=978-1-84513-753-3}}
• {{cite book |last=Rush |first=Ian |title=Rush: The Autobiography |year=2011 |publisher=Random House |location=London |isbn=978-1-4464-0779-0}}
• {{cite book |last1=Vialli |first1=Gianluca |last2=Marcotti |first2=Gabriele |title=The Italian Job: A Journey to the Heart of Two Great Footballing Cultures |year=2006 |publisher=Random House |location=London |isbn=978-0-553-81787-4}}
• {{cite book |last=Wilson |first=Jonathan |title=Inverting the Pyramid: The History of Football Tactics |publisher=Orion Publishing Group |year=2013 |isbn=978-0-7528-8995-5}}

{{refend}}

{{Refbegin}}

• {{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/dec/09/sport.comment8 |first=Andrew |last=Anthony |title=Master Gunner |newspaper=The Observer |location=London |date=9 December 2001 |access-date=23 December 2011}}
• {{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/theobserver/2011/sep/04/observer-profile-arsene-wenger |title=Arsène Wenger: the blinkered visionary |first=Andrew |last=Anthony |newspaper=The Observer |location=London |date=4 September 2011 |access-date=4 November 2011}}
• {{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/8023813/Arsene-Wenger-my-record-for-nurturing-talent-at-Arsenal-is-second-to-none.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/8023813/Arsene-Wenger-my-record-for-nurturing-talent-at-Arsenal-is-second-to-none.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Arsène Wenger: my record for nurturing talent at Arsenal is second to none |first=Jason |last=Burt |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |date=24 September 2010 |access-date=30 July 2012}}{{cbignore}}
• {{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/personal-view/3596948/Guru-of-the-Gunners.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/personal-view/3596948/Guru-of-the-Gunners.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Guru of the Gunners |newspaper=The Sunday Telegraph |location=London |date=28 September 2003 |access-date=12 November 2011}}{{cbignore}}

{{Refend}}

{{Sister project links|b=no|v=no|s=no|commons=Arsène Wenger}}

• {{Soccerbase manager|id=92}}
• {{J.League manager}}
• [http://www.arsenal.com/first-team/coaching-staff/ars-ne-wenger Arsène Wenger profile] at Arsenal.com

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{{English Football First Tier League Championship winning managers}}

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{{FA Cup winning managers}}

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{{League Managers Association Manager of the Year}}

{{Premier League Manager of the Season}}

{{J.League Manager of the Year}}

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{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Wenger, Arsene}}

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