Arsene Wenger enters record-equalling 810th game as a Premier League boss by recalling his first big decision – angering Arsenal players by banning Mars bans
CHOCS away! Arsene Wenger has revealed how he launched his record-equalling career as Arsenal manager by banning Mars Bars.
The Frenchman matches Sir Alex Ferguson's amazing mark of 810 games as a Premier League boss against Crystal Palace tonight.
And he explained the instant impact he had on dressing-room culture when the Gunners travelled to Blackburn for his first match in October 1996, a 2-0 win.
The Mail report Wenger as saying: "I just remember in our first game I banned all the chocolate that the players had before the game.
"When we drove to Blackburn on the coach, the players chanted, 'We want our Mars bars'.
"But now they have their music and headphones. It has changed, but overall it is more the decor that has changed.
"The core of the game is the same. That means the spirit, quality on the pitch and human beings putting their effort together to achieve something.
"To be in charge for 810 games takes loyalty, dedication and hard work, the sacrifice of your life."
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Wenger has not won the Premier League since 2004 and has never seen the Gunners triumph in the Champions League.
And those hopes have only got harder after the arrival of super-rich owners like Roman Abramovich at Chelsea and Sheikh Mansour with Manchester City, while the Glazers have been trying to transform United since their takeover in 2005.
But, unlike Old Trafford chief Jose Mourinho, Wenger is in no mood to suddenly moan about finances.
He said: "I have been in that position for 21 years so I will not start to complain now.
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"There is always one team, sometimes four, who were richer than I was, so I learned to cope with that and to deal with that.
"I think what is most important is you deal with your own situation as well as you can.
"Yes, Manchester City are richer than us, yes Chelsea are richer than us and Manchester United are richer than us but I still believe we have to find a way to be successful.
"People don't want to know about a lack of resources, they want you to win the games.
"Your job is to get the best out of your team. The ultimate goal is to make people happy. You don't always manage to do it, but you try."
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