18 things Arsene Wenger has never done as Arsenal manager after 18 years
Arsene Wenger has warned Tottenham that it is difficult to balance moving forward both on and off the pitch at the same time
Arsene Wenger celebrates his 18th anniversary as Arsenal manager today.
The then-unknown Frenchman took over at the club on 1 October 1996, replacing Bruce Rioch, who is still largely unknown.
It was been 18 years of highs and lows for Wenger with the Gunners, from masterminding the unbeaten 'Invincibles' in 2004, to overseeing the devastating 8-2 defeat by Manchester United in 2011.
He may be nearing his 20th year at Arsenal, but there is still plenty Wenger has not done as manager of the north London side.
1. Won the Champions League
Closest he got was the 2006 Champions League final defeat by Barcelona.
Heartbreak: Thierry Henry was on the Arsenal side that was defeated by Barcelona in the Champions League final in 2006. Photo: Getty Images
2. Beaten Jose Mourinho
11 times Wenger has tried to beat the Special One, 11 times he has failed.
3. Broken the transfer record
His record signing remains Mesut Ozil at £42.5m.
Mesut Oezil in action against Danny Rose. Paul Gilham/Getty Images
4. Retained the Premier League
Three times the Gunners have won the league under Wenger, three times they have been unable to retain it the following season.
5. Won the League Cup
Two finals, two loses. One to Chelsea, and one to Birmingham City. Who could forget that Obafemi Martins effort?
Birmingham players celebrate with Obafemi Martins after he scored the winning goal against Arsenal yesterday following a mix-up between goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny (right) and Laurent Koscielny. Photo: Reuters
6. Sent a tweet
Many a fake Wenger account exists on Twitter, but not one by the main man himself. Managers that tweet are a rare breed. See Ronald Koeman.
7. Lost his unwavering faith in Abou Diaby
The midfielder may be almost-permanently injured, but Wenger has not given up hope. Wenger recently said he would convert him into a deeper lying midfielder.
Abou Diaby is expected to be out for up to nine months
8. Had the motivation to write a book
After former nemesis Sir Alex Ferguson released his tome last year, Wenger said: "I have no plans to write my own book, that might change. But I don't have that motivation at the moment."
9. Eaten a meal out with David Dein if Arsenal lose
Arsenal’s former vice-chairman and friend of Wenger will book a table for the pair for after every Arsenal match. But if the Gunners lose he will not turn up for the reservation, Dein revealed.
10. Won a European competition
Following on from No 1, he has never won a European trophy with Arsenal (no, the Emirates Cup does not count). A UEFA Cup final in 2000 was lost to Galatasaray on penalties.
11. Revealed the culprit of Pizzagate
Arsenal’s 49 match Premier League ended in pizza-throwing infamy after the 2-0 loss in October 2004. But who was threw pizza at Sir Alex. Wenger has always kept mum on the subject.
After Manchester United ended Arsenal's 49-game unbeaten run, Cole and his Gunners team-mates were famously involved in a series of skirmishes which would later be dubbed 'pizzagate'
12. Publicly criticised his players for indiscipline
103 red cards for Gunners’ players in the 18 years under Wenger. He “did not see” them, of course.
13. Been able to devise a gameplan to stop Drogba
15 goals in 15 matches for the Ivorian against Arsenal. Terrorising.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is not interested in a move for Didier Drogba
14. Hired an assistant that was not a former Arsenal defender
Pat Rice and Steve Bould have been his trusted right-hand men during his spell.
15. Lost a Champions League play-off qualifier
Every time the Gunners have progressed when in the play-offs for Europe’s elite competition, without losing a tie.
Arsenal's Laurent Koscielny and Besiktas striker Demba Ba battle for possession during the Champions League qualifier at the Emirates. Photo: REUTERS/Dylan Martinez
16. Finished below fourth
A few scares over the years, but fourth has always been secured.
17. Drastically changed his hairstyle
Slightly greyer now but the classic style remains. If it isn’t broken why fix it?
18. Never lost an FA Cup third-round tie
The domestic competition has always started victoriously.
