5 Mind Blowing facts about Arsene Wenger

Did you know that Arsene Wenger is currently the longest serving manager in the Premier League? The French mastermind has at the Gunners’ helm for a staggering 21 seasons.

If you think that was a mind-blowing fact about Arsene Wenger, wait till you read these next 5!

1. Arsene Wenger was a Borussia Monchengladbach fan

Despite his French roots, he was a childhood Borussia Monchengladbach fan. In fact, he would often cross the German border to watch their matches. He had even bought a Borussia player, namely Swiss player Granit Xhaka.

2. Arsene Wenger has an asteroid named after him.

Ian P Griffin, an Arsenal fan, discovered an asteroid on March 29th, 1998 and decided to name it after his favourite manager.

The asteroid is name 33179 Arsenewenger and is the only asteroid to be named after a sports manager.

His other honours include receiving the Legion d’Honneur, the highest civilian honour in France, an honourary OBE for services to British football, and Arsenal fans celebrating Wenger’s Day on 22nd October 2005, his 56th birthday.

3. Arsene Wenger holds a Master in Economics

He also earned a degree in Engineering. Moreover, he can speak English, French, German; and can manage some Spanish, Italian and Japanese. No wonder he’s called “The Professor”. He is about to complete 2 decades with Arsenal as manager.

4. Arsene Wenger used to coach in Japan 

In January 1995, he had signed a contract with a Japanese club Nagoya Grampus Eight. Boro Primorac, the ex Valenciennes manager became his assistant for the second time, as they were already co operating in AS Monaco.

The duo that is working together even today has led the team to winning the Emperor’s Cup in 1995, a national cup competition in the Land of the Rising Sun. Wenger also recieved the J-League Manager of the Year award and it was just a few months before joining Arsenal.

5. Arsene Wenger is the  first Manager from outside the British Isles to win the Premier League.

When Arsenal won the Premier League in the 1997-98 season, Arsene Wenger became the first ever manager who wasn’t British, Scottish, Irish or Welsh to win the Premier League. He has since won 2 more Premier Leagues, in 2001-02 and 2003-04.

Arsene Wenger’s 2003-04 Arsenal team was famously called ‘The Invincibles’ as they went through the entire season unbeaten in the League and the Premier League commissioned a special gold version of the Premier League trophy to commemorate Arsenal’s and Wenger’s achievement.