A Tribute to Arsene Wenger: 18 years of Football at Arsenal and his 3 best players

It has been 18 years: Arsene Wenger is the senior most manager in England at present. The long serving Frenchman is also Arsenal’s best ever manger in aspect of winning the major titles. The veteran has won three Premier Leagues, Five FA cups and Five FA community shields with the Londoners. He is familiar for his discipline and coolness. Seeing him act harsh is really a rare scene.

All his qualities earned him the nickname “Le Professeur”. He is a strong believer of Psychology and he conducted psychometric tests for his players every two years to ensure that they were mentally fit for his squad.

The 64-year-old is the guy who changed the way of things in food habits in English football as he introduced diet and nutrition. The move was appreciated by most of the pundits and many started to use the method with their squads. And now it is a must.

Wenger is one manager of a kind in England football history and he is a strong believer in youth development. Throughout his long career he encouraged youths from the academy rather than buying stars. Even though he was criticized, the man never changed his methodology.

The drought of not winning the premiership is continuing still now and Wenger also has started to invest on foreign players. The pressure and criticism he received from his own players who are nothing if Wenger was not there for them, have changed him a lot and today he is buying.

Arsenal can well be branded as “one of the best producers of Europe” and Wenger is the only reason for that pride. The list of players who started their careers at Arsenal under Wenger and reached high standards is ENDLESS.

But we are fortunate to list only the best three players who kick started their life with Wenger.

Cesc Fabregas

The Spaniard was recruited by Wenger when he was only 17 years old. From then on, the manager worked with him and made him as one of the finest midfielder the world has seen by 7 years time. Those seven years is the base that Fabregas had to build a strong career for him. And the base is too strong that he reached the skies thereafter.

But unfortunately Wenger gained nothing as the Spaniard left Arsenal to Barcelona in 2011 and he was 24 then which meant his fruitful times are yet to come. Fabregas is considered as the best ever product by Arsene Wenger.

A second chance was given to Wenger to make use of his player in the summer of 2014 when the midfielder decided to leave Barcelona and wanted a PL return. Wenger had a buyback offer in his hand to land the Spanish playmaker but he threw the dices away and let his rivals Chelsea sign his player. It’s a big shock to the football world though because the member of Spain's 2010 World Cup winning squad has expressed wish to join his parental manager.

Ashley Cole

The veteran left-back started his youth career at Arsenal before he made himself as one of the best LB’s in the history of football. After the days of Brazilian Roberto Carlos, Ashley Cole is considered as the best bet at the defensive left-flank in Europe.

Being one of the best ever outcome from Arsene’s school, the Englishman is now known as a “Chelsea Legend,” the club that has a bitter rivalry with Arsenal. The legendary defender left Arsenal with distraught after he had a misunderstanding as well as a bad relationship with Wenger himself.

Jack Wilshere

The emerging young star is really an idol for budding footballers in his way of play. As a central midfielder, Wilshere can do all sorts of work as required. He can create, he can dictate, he can defend and he can also tackle hard. This guy is a complete package in the center of the park.

In years, there will be no surprise if Jack Wilshere was hailed as the best ever product of Arsene Wenger. Because he is capable of that and the future Arsenal captain can overtake his former captain in glory. His potentials are nothing short of world class.

Wilshere holds the hope of Arsenal fans' dream to land the Premier League title in Emirates and there are no doubts that he can deliver their long waited Championship. But, the young man must focus hard and be obedient more to achieve the feat considering his recent misbehaviors.

Former England captain and one of the best midfielders of Europe: Steven Gerrard, once said “Jack ticks almost every box.... He is a lot better than your normal premier league midfielder. I have a lot of confidence in him”.

The reason why we listed these players as the top three is they are created and developed at The Arsenal Academy.

If we consider the other categories (i.e) players identified and recruited by Wenger from all over the world, well, we can write a book. That list will be an endless one because Arsene is still going about the job better and better with every passing day.

Thierry Henry, the all time leading goal scorer for Arsenal was a natural winger and Wenger made him as one of the best ever Center Forwards. Robin van Persie, who was a “troublesome” player at his former side was now one of the world’s best strikers and Arsene Wenger is the name behind that fame. Dennis Bergkamp, who became a peripheral player at Arsenal once praised Wenger for getting the best out of him.

We can list a lot of players including Samir Nasri, Kolo Toure, Bacary Sagna, Alexander Song who all left Wenger and a host of youngsters like Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Kieran Gibbs who are aiming for a bright future under Wenger.

After all the splendid works done by the gaffer, he still remains without a Premiership in his last 9 seasons with Arsenal which is not something to write in bold letters. The players who left Arsenal and Arsene Wenger is a reason for the drought. But Wenger never became fed up as he calmly continues his business with his next set of YOUNGSTERS.

We may criticize him for his trophy-less seasons but the service he did to football will never be forbidden and his legacy will remain till the players developed by Wenger stay in the history.

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