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Arsene Wenger and his 18 years at Arsenal

Cape Town - Today marks the 18th anniversary of Arsene Wenger signing on to manage Arsenal and what a job he's done since his arrival in London.

Here are the 18 reasons to love Arsene Wenger:

1. The 2004 Invincibles

In 2003/04 Arsenal did not lose a single English Premiership game as the Gunners charged on to a 13th league title.

Played 38, won 26, drew 12 and lost 0!  

The team:

Lehmann; Lauren, Campbell, Touré, Cole; Ljungberg, Gilberto, Vieira, Pires; Bergkamp, Henry.

2. His record against Spurs!

Under Arsene Wenger, the Gunners have played 44 matches against their bitter London rivals, winning 21 of them, drawing 17 and losing 6 times.

3. He's brought world class players to the club.

Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira, Nicolas Anelka, Robert Pirès, Cesc Fàbregas, Emmanuel Petit, Freddie Ljungberg, Andrei Arshavin, Marc Overmars, Sol Campbell and RVP have all graced the English Premiership because of Wenger.

4. He took the club to the final of the Champions League

Wenger guided his side to their first ever European Cup final in Paris in 2006. Unfortunately for Wenger's Gunners they lost 2-1 to Barcelona.

5. Jurgen Klopp likes him.

If Jurgen gives you a vote of confidence then you must be a great guy.

“He is really something. I love him. He is Sir. Sir Arsène Wenger for me,” said Klopp.  

6. He loves the fans

He was once quoted as saying: "My job is to give people who work hard all week something to enjoy on Saturdays and Wednesdays".

7. Arch rival Sir Alex Ferguson respects him



8. He can speak to every player in his squad 

Wenger is fluent in English, French and German and learned Japanese while coaching in Japan.

9. He did the RVP swallow diving header



10. He's got the Midas touch

In his first full season at the London club, Arsene Wenger edged out Manchester United to win the league title off,  ending a 27-year wait for supporters to celebrate a second league and FA Cup double for the club.

11. He loves a bargain

In 1997, Wenger signed compatriot Nicolas Anelka from PSG for £500,000. After playing just 65 games, Wenger sold the mercurial talent to Real Madrid for £23 million.

12. He was major part of "pizzagate" 

Well known for his rivalry with Sir Alex Ferguson. Wenger was a major part of the tunnel fiasco after  United ended Arsenal's 49 game unbeaten Premier League run. Wenger called United striker a cheat in his post-match interview and the incident ended when someone threw a pizza at Ferguson.  

13. He's won 13 titles while in charge


FA Premier League: 1997/98, 2001/02 and 2003/04

FA Cup: 1997/98, 2001/02, 2002/03, 2004/05 and 2013/14

FA Community Shield: 1998, 1999, 2002, 2004 and 2014

14. He said this!

"Everyone thinks they have the prettiest wife at home" - May 2002, in response to Sir Alex Ferguson's claim that Manchester United had been the best side in the Premier League since Christmas that season.

15. And this!

He's out of order, disconnected with reality and disrespectful. When you give success to stupid people, it makes them more stupid sometimes and not more intelligent" - November 2005, in response to former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho's claim that Wenger was a football 'voyeur'.

16. He's come a long way since he joined the club

Then:



And now:



17. His overall record at Arsenal is incredible!

Wenger's record at the Gunners reads: Played 1022, won 582, drew 243 and lost 196. A win percentage of 57%!

18. He's proven to be a manager in it for the long haul

Arsene Wenger will be in charge of his 1022nd game for Arsenal tonight when the Gunners take on Galatasaray at the Emirates.
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