By Richard Clarke
The Arsène Wenger era began on October 12, 1996. The announcement of the unknown Frenchman's appointment was confirmed on September 28 and his first day in the job was on October 1. So by the time Arsenal went travel to Blackburn, Wenger's influence had spanned precisely 11 days.
The team brought back a 2-0 win but, on the way home, they playfully demanded their usual supply of chocolate; something their new highly health-conscious manager had taken off the post-match menu.
It took a little time but gradually the Wenger way won through, particularly when he led the side to the Double in his first full season. That 1997/98 campaign, and Wenger's others in charge, will be assessed as part of our 'Ten Years of Wenger' coverage.
This is a special week of celebration leading up to the home game with Watford on Saturday - the nearest match to the 10th anniversary of Wenger's first 90 minutes at the helm.
We'll be putting out reflections on two seasons per day over the next five days. We'll also be looking at the manager's record, his most memorable quotes and his 10 years in pictures. There will also be a poll, allowing you to vote for his greatest game.
Arsenal TV Online subscribers had their chance to question the man himself last week in our exclusive hour-long webchat. There will be more from the boss on video this week. Also we have spoken to some of the major figures who played under Wenger at Arsenal.
We'll kick off the week with Arsenal.com's 10 crucial days in Arsène Wenger's relationship with the Club. Some are games, some are decisions, some are incidents. We just think they are a different take on the pivotal moments in the Frenchman's time at the club.
WENGER'S 10 CRUCIAL DAYS
January 2, 1988 Arsenal 0 QPR 0
Wenger, then manager of Monaco, wants to take in a
game over Christmas. As usual only English teams are playing. He
comes to Highbury and afterwards is invited out to dinner by
Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein. Famously they end up playing
charades at Dein's house. Wenger loses.
October, 1, 1996 First day of employment
Wenger's first day at the office. He becomes the first Arsenal
manager to come from outside the British Isles.
December 13, 1997 Arsenal 1 Blackburn 3
A nadir in that season. Marc Overmars puts Arsenal
ahead but two goals in eight second-half minutes turn the game.
When Tim Sherwood adds a third in the 89th minute the alarm bells
are ringing. In fact, something changed and Arsenal would not lose
another game until they had won the League.
March 14, 1998 Man Utd 0 Arsenal 1
Arsenal had trailed Manchester United by 13 points
at Christmas. This result put them back in control of the title
race. When Marc Overmars slid home the only goal it put Arsenal six
points behind with three games in hand. Winning a Double in his
first full season took all the pressure off Wenger.
Opening of the training ground
This was a bricks-and-mortar reflection of the
Club's faith in their manager. Wenger had been involved in the
concept of the Hertfordshire training ground right through to its
construction. The workman had got the tools he wanted.
September 11, 2003 Signing Cesc Fabregas
This was indicative of the way the first-team squad
would move in the next few years - precocious talent brought in
from all over Europe at a young age. The likes of Anelka, Clichy
and Senderos pre-date Cesc while Walcott, Diaby, Bendtner and
Merida have followed. They will have to do a lot to outshine the
Spaniard. The World Cup star is now 19 and has agreed an eight-year
contract. It is frightening to think that this probably won't
even take him to the peak of his career.
November 25, 2003 Inter 1 Arsenal 5
Wenger's team had been generally improving in
Europe but they had never humbled a really huge side. That changed
on this night. Wonderful flowing football, a couple of great goals
- it was the ultimate Wenger victory. It proved to the Club that
they could thrive among Europe's elite.
April 9, 2004 Arsenal 4 Liverpool 2
It had been a bad week. Out of the FA Cup, out of
the Champions League, Arsenal were on danger of losing their grip
on the Premiership when they trailed Liverpool 2-1 after 45 minutes
at Highbury. A Thierry Henry cracker ushered in the comeback.
Having promised so much that season to lose all three trophies
would have been devastating.
May 17, 2006 Barcelona 2 Arsenal 1
Nearly, so nearly. This would have been the pinnacle
of Wenger's career in football let alone Arsenal.
May 19, 2006 Thierry Henry signs a contract extension
With Vieira having left and Bergkamp retiring,
Wenger really needed to keep hold of his captain. Two days after
the Champions League Final defeat Henry announced he would stay.
Wenger's ability to keep major stars motivated remains crucial
to the way he works.
