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Wenger - My memories of my first game

Arsène Wenger at Blackburn in 1996
Arsène Wenger at Blackburn in 1996

Arsene Wenger has revealed his abiding memories from his very first game in charge of Arsenal on October 12, 1996.

The Gunners eased to a comfortable 2-0 win at Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park, with both goals coming from Ian Wright.

But Wenger, who had banned chocolate and sweets from the dressing room after taking over, will never forget one particular moment on the coach home.

"At the first match the players were chanting “we want our Mars bars!” so there were some fun things"

Arsene Wenger

“There were some amusing details,” he said. “I changed a few habits [of the players], which isn't easy in a team where the average age is 30 years.

“At the first match the players were chanting “we want our Mars bars!” so there were some fun things.

“At half time in the first game I asked my physio, Gary Lewin, “Nobody is talking, what's wrong with them?” and he replied: “They're hungry.” I hadn't given them their chocolate before the game. It was funny!”

Wenger had been greeted by headlines of ‘Arsene Who?’ upon his arrival in England, and he said it immediately brought the challenge home to him.

“People were asking who I was. I was a complete unknown,” he said. “And there was no history of a foreign manager succeeding in England. So I was in a situation where no one knew me and history was against me.”

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