Four Four Two - UK (2020-11)

ARSEn E

WEn GER

relationship is better today. “I believe things
have calmed down,” he smiles. “We’re not in
competition any more.”
Wenger’s Arsenal goodbye was naturally
moving – for all Gunners fans, and particularly
for the man himself. “It was very emotional,
and we had a really nice evening after that
with my friends,” he recalls.
“It was difficult for me afterwards. I’ve had
good discipline in my life and I’ve continued
to watch football like I was still in the game,
but you were inside the club every day, inside
something that was happening, and then you
are outside of it. I don’t want to complain, but
for any person anywhere in the world, it’s an
adjustment that’s not easy when you’ve been
involved so much.”
For two years, Wenger has resisted going
back for a match – partly out of respect for
those trying to take the club forward without
him, eager not to cast a shadow. But having
been so heavily involved in the move from
Highbury to the Emirates, helping to guide
the Gunners’ plans as they took shape, he’s
contemplating a visit.

“Ihavestillnotreturned,”hesays.“Every

stand, I was there to build with the architect,

and the pitch, so one day I’ll have to go there

and touch it. There are two buildings in my

life which are very important. Highbury – the

listed wall where I sometimes went – and of

course the Emirates, because it’s been a big

part of my life. It was 2006 when we moved

there, and we’re in 2020 now. The club have

invited me to go back for a match. I thought

I’d keep a distance at the start, but after two

years, maybe it’s time to return.”

Current boss Mikel Arteta spent five years

under Wenger as a player – lifting the FA Cup

as captain in 2014 – and has expressed his

gratitude for the advice he’s received from

his former manager since taking over.

“I’ve spoken to Mikel once and encouraged

him,” says Wenger. “It seems to me that he

has a grip on the team, and that they have

corrected their weaknesses by recruiting the

right players. Let’s hope we can get back to

where we belong this season – that means

to the top four.”

Last November, Wenger took up a new role

as the head of global football development

at FIFA, splitting his time between London,

Paris and Zurich. His aims include improving

the pathway for youngsters in all countries,

so that no matter where they hail from, they

have the same chance to make it in football.

He’s also eager to create a research centre

inZurich,focusingontheenhancementof

teachingmethods,thelawsofthegameand

developmentoftechnologicalmetrics.It’s

veryon-brandforLeProfesseur,a manwho

incorporateddataanalysisintohismethods

atthestartofhiscoachingcareer,whenit

wasprettymuchunheardof.

SincedepartingArsenal,Wengerhasbeen

approachedovera returntomanagement

andpubliclydeclaredhisinterestindoing

soif therightoffercamealong.Butthat

hasn’thappenedyet,andhe’sincreasingly

uncertainwhetherit everwill– heturns 71

notlongafterthisinterview.

“Thereis a chancethatI maynotreturn,

heconcedes.“I’vehada fewoffers– I didn

countthem,butI’vehadoffersinEngland

offersinFrance.I didn’tdoit becauseI felt

likeI neededtotakesomedistancewithit

DoI finishwithArsenal?I managed1,235

matchesforthem,plus 12 or 13 yearsbefore

that.I stillhavethepassionandI stillwould

wantto,butwhenI’mofferedthechallenge

I reply,‘No,thankyou’.Somethingis holding

meback.I don’tknowwhatthatis – maybe

I feel,‘Don’tmakeonefighttoomany’.

“WithFIFA,I createacademiesonline,and

I’mcreatinga researchlab– wehavea very

sophisticatedcomputeranalysisofthegame

thatI wanttosetup,soI’mstayinginformed.

That’swhereI standatthemoment– I want

toputthatinplaceatFIFA.If I stillhavethe

hunger to manage afterwards, I’ll do it. But

right now, I don’t like to start something and

not finish it.”

Whether he returns or not, his status as one

of the greatest managers in history is secure.

“I believe my legacy is that I tried to win,

and win with style – to give moments in life

to the people who come to the stadium,” he

reflects. “When you’re a supporter, you want

to come to a stadium and really experience

something that takes you out of your hard

daily life – because no matter what our work

is, daily life is difficult. I wanted to give them

a special moment in their life.

“I believe we played some fantastic games,

even from 2006-18. Those moments when

you go and see a team play fantastic football,

they’re not only linked with the titles you win.

They’re also linked with all the moments you

share with your friends, when you feel free.

For me, those moments are forever.”

Wenger created moments that Arsenal

fans will remember for the rest of their lives.

Fifty years from now, people will still speak

about the great Invincibles team of 2003-04,

and the rest of that remarkable era.

It all started with that game of charades,

and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Thanks to

Wenger, Arsenal’s dreams became reality.

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andWhite’ – toentera randomdrawtowin

, emailfourfourtwo@

urenet.comwiththe

swertothisquestion:

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engermovetoArsenal?

e bookis publishedby

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y now,pricedat£25.

“I WILL LOVE THIS CLUB UnTIL THE LAST

DAY OF MY LIFE. EVERY TIME I SEE A RED

AnD WHITE SHIRT, I WILL SUPPORT IT”

FourFourTwo November 2020 37

Top Bidding adieu

to the Emirates – he

plans to return soon

Above Fergie “could

be excessive, and so

could I... but slowly

respect dominates”

WIn YOUR COPY!