The 2018-19 season of the Premier League will make an odd viewing for the fans as for the first time in over 22 years, the English top flight will not see Arsene Wenger on the touchline. The French tactician decided that it was time for him to bid adieu to his stint as the Arsenal manager and has announced that he will step down from the post at the end of the season.
This will be a huge loss for Arsenal and the Premier League in general but Wenger has given the league plenty of moments to remember him by. There are a number of achievements that the manager will be known for in the future but here are five moments that will be etched in most Gooners’ minds for years to come:
The 1998 Double:
It was in that year that the Premier League allowed foreign managers to take charge of clubs in the country. Wenger was brought in by Arsenal in 1996 and soon enough, he turned into Sir Alex Ferguson’s nemesis. He beat United to the league title with a late burst in the 1997-98 season and also beat Newcastle United to the FA Cup, giving Arsenal a memorable start to his two-decade tenure.
Signing Sol On A Free:
At a time when the North London rivalry was brewing quite well, Arsene Wenger managed to lure the sensation that is Sol Campbell, on a free transfer in 2001, after the English ace spent almost a decade with Tottenham Hotspur. Sol was regarded as one of the best to have played for Spurs but he shifted ship in his prime and won two league titles, staying unbeaten an entire season with Arsenal. Surely, this move will stay fresh even now in the minds of many fans.
Taking Old Trafford Hostage:
It was a huge feat for Arsenal to beat Manchester United to the league title in the early 2000s but Arsene Wenger not only managed to beat SAF’s side to the title but did it at their home ground. With just a win required to lift the title, Arsenal travelled to Old Trafford and settled the title with a late winner from Sylvain Wiltord, who held nothing back, celebrating the league victory at Old Trafford.
The ‘Invincibles’:
A tag only Arsenal can own in the Premier League era, Arsene Wenger helped The Gunners go an entire league season without a defeat. He was made fun of, when he said that this was possible and in the 2003-2004 season, Arsenal lifted the league title in a similar fashion. They won 26 of the 38 games, and drew the other 12, as they earned the title of ‘The Invincibles’, a feat that is yet to be repeated.
Ending A 9-Year Drought:
Of all the things Wenger achieved at Arsenal, the FA Cup victory in 2014 will be a milestone for the Frenchman. Arsenal needed wins against Liverpool, Everton and Tottenham Hotspur and were taken to penalties by Wigan Athletic in the final and managed to prevail, ending a period of nine long years Arsenal went, without lifting a trophy. He went on to win two of the next three FA Cup finals as well.
