It'd be fair to say this has been a pretty tumultuous season at the Emirates for Arsene Wenger.

Having finished as runners up to champions Leicester last season, hopes were high for the season after splashing out almost £100m in the summer transfer window.

An opening day defeat to Liverpool wasn't in the script, however. But the Gunners recovered to go on a three month unbeaten run in all competitions up until mid-December.

Since then, however, it's all gone a bit wrong. Results fell off a cliff and suddenly Wenger Out protests were all the rage, even becoming something of a global internet meme.

"Oh... did I actually just say that?!" (
Image:
REUTERS)

But there has been one consistent element throughout the campaign which has been a theme of his 21 year tenure at the club: the ability to clash with rivals, officials and players alike.

Sometimes they're tongue-in-cheek, others more pointed, but they're said all the same.

Probably Wenger's most famous touchline clash (
Image:
PINNACLE PHOTO AGENCY LTD)

After his most recent barb directed at the "on holiday" players of West Ham , we've rounded up some of his most memorable verbals from the season so far.

Well, who knows what could happen before the final game of the season?

August 2016: Criticising the press for not praising Rob Holding

"I'll stick up for you Rob" (
Image:
Arsenal FC via Getty)

After an assured performance by Rob Holding in a 0-0 draw against Leicester , Wenger was irked about his spending history. He promptly leapt to the defence of £2m summer signing Rob Holding.

"Nobody is speaking about the performance of Rob Holding today. You should be happy; he is English, he is 20 years old, but I'm sorry he didn't cost £55m, so he cannot be good."

January 2017: Labelling fourth official Anthony Taylor "dishonest"... to his face

Not the best of mates (
Image:
Reuters)

Furious at a last-minute penalty decision in Burnley's favour at the Emirates, Wenger fumed to fourth official Anthony Taylor on the sideline.

The Frenchman told Taylor to "f**k off" twice before telling him: "You are dishonest to your federation."

Unsurprisingly, he was sent to the stands and forced to serve a four-match touchline ban.

February 2017: Telling Arsenal fans to be more like Spurs fans

There was a time when Spurs fans would want to hold this banner up, to be fair (
Image:
AFP)

Now this one really made blood boil among Gooners. At the height of fan disillusionment and Wenger Out protests aplenty, the boss aimed a dig at his own fanbase.

"We are in a fight and we have to be united or we have no chance," Wenger said.

"You have Tottenham and everyone is behind their team and we have to do the same.

"Even if we have had two disappointed results, I want the fans to be behind the team. Focus on what we do well."

Ouch.

March 2017: Reminding Alexis Sanchez he can't do it all on his own

"Look Alexis, you're meant to pass to people in the same colour shirt" (
Image:
Stuart MacFarlane)

Amid rumours of a training ground bust-up involving talisman Alexis Sanchez, Wenger emphasised the need for teamwork - while reminding Alexis Sanchez of recent away defeats.

"It's a team sport, our game is built on collective expression and not one individual.

"Sanchez played in all the games when we didn't perform away from home we lost as well and that is what I think is the most important: to perform as a team.

"Players at that level are proven, but football is not about one player. It's much bigger than that."

March 2017: Aiming a sly dig at referees having too big an impact on games

He's never had the happiest of relationships with match officials (
Image:
Stuart MacFarlane)

Asked about Barcelona's stunning 6-1 comeback against PSG in the Champions League, Wenger aimed his crosshairs at the officials who made some very questionable decisions in the game.

"Last night, it showed the importance of two main factors - the referee and big players."

BURN!

March 2017: One team in London

Just look at that cheeky grin (
Image:
Getty Images)

When asked about Alexis Sanchez potentially moving to a London team that has title ambitions - Chelsea, in other words - Wenger had only one response.

"There's only one team in London, so he is happy!"

It got some laughs, but we know what he was playing at...

April 2017: His take on a North London power shift

The men with the ability to shift that power (
Image:
PA Wire)

With Spurs finishing about Arsenal for the first time since 1995, questions of a power shift between the north London rivals were rife. Wenger had no time for it, however.

"Let's be honest, I answered the question of a power shift for 18 years," he stated.

"You cannot say that the weight of one year has the weight of 20."

May 2017: Reminding Liverpool about their lack of titles

"Pssst... how many Premier Leagues have you won?" (
Image:
Liverpool FC via Getty)

The pressure may have been on Arsene over yet another failed Premier League title challenge, but he was keen to remind everyone that it's not just Arsenal who have struggled.

"We are in the FA Cup final again. Overall, I believe we are not happy because you want to win absolutely everything.

"But you have to accept as well that Real Madrid has not won their championship for five years. They are big clubs - it is difficult. Liverpool hasn't won it for over 20. Just because you turn up doesn't mean you win. It is difficult to win."

May 2017: Reminding Jose Mourinho of his duties over criticising his own players

"Oi, you, lay off Luke Shaw!" (
Image:
Manchester United via Getty)

After Mourinho launched into his umpteenth criticism of Luke Shaw , Wenger had this to say on the subject of managers calling out their own players.

"Ideally you have to be careful with that because you cannot do that in every single game.

"Criticism just makes that stress level worse for them because top players have a good and objective assessment.

"They know well where they stand and by going public, you can also lose respect in the dressing room. You're in a position where you have to fight for them when it doesn't go well.

"You have to bite your lip sometimes - it's part of your job as a manager."

May 2017: Clashing with the board over a Director of Football

"Just smile and hope the cameras go away..." (
Image:
Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty)

Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis has supposedly targeted the recruitment of a Director of Football this summer as part of a "catalyst for change" at the club. It's something Wenger has no time for, as he clearly stated in a press conference.

"No Director of Football - I don't know what it means. Is it someone who stands on the road and directs the players left and right? I never understand what it means, Director of Football.

"I'm the manager of Arsenal and as long as I am manager, I will decide what happens on the technical front. That's it."

May 2017: Accusing West Ham of being on their holidays

"...and if your lot don't start playing, there'll be trouble son!" (
Image:
Arfa Griffiths)

And his most recent outburst of anger was targeted at West Ham after they were spun out 4-0 at home by Liverpool.

It's a result which could prove fatal in Arsenal's quest for a top four spot, and Wenger was keen to air his disappointment at the Hammers' apparent lack of effort.

"Some teams turn up, some teams are on holiday. You just want your team to play well.

"To be professional is to do your job well until the last day of the season.

"To look into the mirror and say you did it properly is vital. If we don’t have the results I am disappointed but what is not excusable is to not give your best."

Never change, Arsene. Never change...

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