Waiting rather impatiently for a big name manager to come in and replace caretaker Stewart Houston. The idea of change for an 18 year old at the time was quite exciting

Good Evening Gooners,

I wasn’t able to write a blog yesterday which normally feels a little strange but when other situations or problems come up in life I can usually forget about writing something but yesterday was a part of our history. A proud moment for Gooners, at least it should be a proud moment for Gooners.

Arsene Wenger is now the longest serving manager is our history which in modern times is quite remarkable. In an era where patience is practically non existent and pressure is at an all time high it just illustrates how highly thought of the Frenchman is.

I remember 1996 like it was yesterday. Waiting rather impatiently for a big name manager to come in and replace caretaker Stewart Houston. The idea of change for an 18 year old at the time was quite exciting. Having been brought up only knowing George Graham I was interested to know how football life could be without the Scot in charge.

Rumours were circulating about that Dutch legend Johan Cruyff was set to take over the hot seat. The de Boer brothers were being linked as well as a host of other talent from Holland. Perhaps Andy Sinton would finally get his move to Arsenal I thought rather excitedly. Those who are familiar with that era will remember that the Queens Park Rangers winger was linked to us much in the way that Obafemi Martins was with us over the last few years.

Then talk started creeping through that an unknown French manager with a name that sounded remarkably like our club name was going to join. I refused to believe it, we were going to get Cruyff, why would we get this bloke that nobody had heard of.

Fast forward to 2009 and that pretty much sums up Arsene Wenger. Being linked with all these big name players then pulling a rabbit out of the hat and bringing through an unknown that turns out to be the next best thing. Another early memory of Wenger magic was his signing of a player before he actually arrived at the club (due to honouring his contract in Japan if I am not mistaken)

Patrick Vieira had joined us from AC Milan’s reserves. Those days you couldn’t click onto You Tube and get an insight into what type of player he was, in fact I don’t even think I saw a picture of him before he jogged onto the Highbury pitch in the second half against Sheffield Wednesday. There I was, pinning for a short, skilful, speedy, dribbler and out jogs this tall, gangly kid. Cue my displeasure before the poor kid had even touched the ball and we all know how that one turned out as well.

Luckily I have grown up and am wiser about the sport I love so dear. I should really understand the younger generation of today as I like many have been through it but this isn’t what I started talking about, I am diverting away from the great Arsene Wenger.

I don’t need to go into what he has done for Arsenal Football Club, the supporters, English football and the media as much as they use his great character against him.

I can hand on heart say that I would not go back to 1996 and change Arsene Wenger for anybody else in world football and that is anybody. People like Arsene Wenger do not grow on tree’s and even the impatient young support will one day think about his achievements and say Wow! What a genius. I keep saying this but the next Arsenal manager should walk up to Wenger give him a firm handshake and say ‘Thank you very much!’ because Wenger has not just laid foundations, he has almost finished the building.

I will be a little absent from the blog for a couple of weeks or so, am in the middle of decorating and moving house which as you know is beyond stressful. I shall be asking the Vision crew if they will step in, so I shall keep you updated on that front.

Very exciting to hear that Samir Nasri is on his way back to returning. I am now worried that as soon as Nasri comes back we will have the international break and you know what happens after that. I cross my fingers big time.

Ok Gooners, take care, back soon.

One Arsene Wenger..There’s only one Arsene Wenger.. One Arsene Wenger!!! There’s only one Arsene Wenger.. One Arsene Wenger!!!..repeat until fade

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