Wenger at 1000

 

By COLIN ROBERTSON (OR)

 

Saturday’s trip to Stamford Bridge will mark Arsène Wenger’s 1000th game in charge of Arsenal.

 

The London Evening Standard greeted him with the now infamous headline ‘Arsène Who?’ when he was appointed in September 1996, but almost 18 years later, Wenger will become only the fourth manager to reach the landmark, joining Sir Matt Busby, Dario Gradi, and Sir Alex Ferguson at the milestone.

 

Ferguson, who retired last year, paid tribute to Wenger in a League Managers Association Statement, saying:

 

"I congratulate Arsène in reaching this momentous landmark."

 

"Having also reached the same milestone at one club, I cannot emphasise enough the level of dedication, resilience as well as sacrifice required and for that I have for the utmost admiration.

 

"Over the years we enjoyed some fantastic battles and you could say we had survived together and respected each other's efforts to play good football. I always enjoy watching Arsène's sides – Arsenal play the right way.

 

"Playing against them always presented special challenges that I burned many hours over the years thinking about. He has always been a conscientious member of our trade who makes it his business to help other managers.

 

"Perhaps the biggest compliment I could give Arsène is that I could never be anything other than competitive with my rival for 17 years."

 

The 64-year-old Frenchman took charge of his first match on October 1, 1996 against Blackburn Rovers, and has overseen the most successful period in the club’s history, winning the double twice in his first five years.

 

Arguably the highlight of his reign was the 2003-04 season when his ‘Invincibles’ side went unbeaten in the league for an entire season.

 

However, Arsenal have not won a trophy since 2005, and it has been a while since Arsenal fans sang that they were ‘living in a Wenger wonderland’.

 

Wenger is yet to extend his contract, which expires in June and with ten games left in the season and Arsenal sitting four points behind the league leaders; the next two months could arguably be his most vital.