Wenger not prepared to dwell on Arsenal achievements

The talk in recent weeks at the Emirates has been about celebrating manager Arsene Wenger’s 20-years at the helm, but for the Frenchman it’s all about the legacy he will leave behind at Arsenal.

Wenger arrived at Highbury in October 1996 as a complete unknown following spells as manager at Nancy, Monaco and Grampus Eight and quickly he made his mark.

In his first full season at the club Wenger went on to win the double, while other notable achievements during his reign have been going unbeaten in 2004 as Arsenal won the league, and also becoming the most-successful ever manager in the history of the FA Cup.

While others have rightly been quick to honour Wenger’s achievements and the huge impact he has had on the Premier League in general – the Arsenal manager instead choose to concentrate on what the future holds for the Gunners.

“I always felt that as a manager you have an influence on three levels,” Wenger said. “One, on the individual careers of the players – you are not successful with every player.

“Two, on the style of play and the results of the team. And three, on the structure of the club.

“I like to think that the club today is at a different level to when I arrived and as well, when I leave, that I leave a good team with a strong financial resources and good structures at the club.

“My pride [would be] to see somebody come in and do better. At least he is in a position to do better. It is important I think for the legacy.

“For me the club is also about identity and values. The values are carried here by the manager because I have stayed here for a long time.

“I hope that these values, which are respected all over the world, will continue because it is based on respect, humility, togetherness – and also that the club moves forward.”