On October 12, 1996, a relatively unknown Frenchman by the name of Arsene Wenger took charge of Arsenal for the first time as the Gunners travelled to Ewood Park for what many believed was just a run-of-the-mill Premier League game; but little did we know that one of the greatest chapters in the club’s history was about to begin.
Arsenal overcame Blackburn Rovers in convincing style with a 2-0 win which raised few eyebrows, though what would follow over the next two decades would be far more memorable, so here are just some of the astounding achievements and magnificent milestones which Arsenal enjoyed under the leadership of one of their greatest managers of all time.
Going a Whole Season Undefeated
Maybe not the most dramatic or enthralling of campaigns in history there can be little doubt that going a whole campaign without losing a game is one of the biggest achievements in the history of any club. The Gunners chalked-up 24 wins, 12 draws, and incredibly no defeats, while playing some pretty impressive football and although other teams may have been easier on the eye, the 2004 side will always be regarded as one of Arsenal’s greatest.
Securing the Club’s First Double-Double
Winning the league and FA Cup in the same season is an incredible achievement in itself but for a manager to do it twice is something else. Having won his first double back in 1998 Wenger proved it was no fluke by doing it again five years later with arguably the greatest side he ever assembled - including Sol Campbell who he’d lured from Spurs the previous summer - especially seeing as they clinched the title at the home of fierce rivals Manchester United.
Signing Thierry Henry
By signing fellow Frenchman Thierry Henry for £11 million from Juventus in 1999, Arsene Wenger not only transformed the career of a struggling striker; the move also paved the way for one of the greatest periods of success in the club’s history. During his time in North London, Henry scored 228 goals, helping the Gunners to three Premier League titles and three FA Cups, while claiming four Golden Boots and five Player of the Year awards.
Winning Seven FA Cups
Claiming his first FA Cup victory back in 1998 with a win over Newcastle at the old Wembley Stadium, Wenger enjoyed something of a long love affair with the oldest knockout competition in football. He lifted the famous old trophy no fewer than seven times in over two decades in charge and by doing so overtook the great George Ramsey of Aston Villa, who had achieved a haul of half a dozen FA Cup wins back in 1921.
Taking Arsenal to The Emirates Stadium
The Emirates Stadium is sometimes referred to as the house that Arsene built and there’s little doubt he was instrumental in the move to their new home in 2006 as he was more than aware that a new stadium would enable them to compete financially with the best in Europe. With its grand marble halls and rich history Highbury witnessed many memorable moments for the Gunners but the Emirates Stadium could well be Wenger's most tangible legacy.
