Happy Birthday, Arsène Wenger!

Arsène Wenger is one of the most influential managers of the 21st century. His name was made at Arsenal, but it all began in Ligue 1 McDonald's.

From Cannes to Nancy to Monaco

Following the conclusion of his playing career, Wenger launched himself straight into management. Beginning at a former giant of French football, AS Cannes, Wenger quickly began to build a reputation, initially as an assistant, which was enough to convince Nancy to hire him. The objective was to keep the club in Ligue 1 McDonald's, which he duly did in his first season, all while further professionalising the club and bringing an increased focus on physical preparation, a facet of management that he helped revolutionise through his approach.

Wenger then spent seven years at AS Monaco. At the Principality club, Wenger became a household name in French football and one of the most promising up-and-coming managers in the game.

Arriving in 1987, he won the Ligue 1 McDonald's title in 1988 and then the Coupe de France three years later, whilst also guiding Les Monégasques to the final of the European Cup Winners' Cup final in 1992. He has certainly not been forgotten at the Principality club; he was one of the club legends to be celebrated during Monaco's centenary last year.

It is there that Wenger first met Thierry Henry, one of the greatest forwards in French history and one forged by Le Professeur. Their time together at the Principality club, back in 1994, was brief, but they would become more acquainted at Highbury some years later.

A record-breaking stint at Arsenal

Having enjoyed great success at Monaco, Wenger then went out to manage in the Far East, but returned to Europe in 1996, when Arsenal came knocking. Three years after joining Arsenal, Wenger was joined by Henry in North London. "Thierry was his treasured son, his main man, and he protected him as much as possible. It was like that from the start," said another former France international, Robert Pires.

Henry was one of the main actors in a historic feat in English football as Arsenal went a whole league season unbeaten in 2004, logically lifting the title. The 'Invincibles' were born, and it is a record-breaking feat that is yet to be repeated.

From Monaco to Arsenal: The Henry-Wenger bond 🇫🇷🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 pic.twitter.com/F9lB2chRtO
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) December 11, 2024

He managed the Gunners for 22 years, bringing major success (three Premier Leagues, seven FA Cups, and 7 Community Shields), before departing in 2018. He has not managed since, but he certainly made his mark in England, proving to be one of the most influential figures in management during the 21st century.

"Football is an art, like dancing is an art - but only when it is well done does it become an art," Wenger once said. If football is art, Wenger was the artist.

Happy Birthday, Arsène Wenger!

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