Im rarely sincere on Facebook, but today I wanted to acknowledge a real milestone for a personal hero of mine. Tomorrow, Arsène Wenger manages his 1000th match for Arsenal FC. Ive never known another manager for the club since my love affair with them began back in 2002. From his first match there in 1996, he laid the groundwork in revolutionizing English football and brought both glory and panache to a team previously known for being almost eye-glazingly dull. He is a visionary and football is his life, but as is often the case with such single-minded men, he is stubborn, temperamental and always, always sour in defeat. He has frustrated me and many Arsenal fans the last few years through his lack of interest in bringing in legitimate world class talent, content to blood a young squad and prove--not for the first time, mind---he can create a generation of red-and-white shirted superstars. It hasnt quite happened, but this season has been a renaissance and one that has riveted Arsenal fans across the world. (Tellingly, giving in and signing one of the most creative midfielder players in the world may have had quite a bit to do with our turn in fortunes.) But the frustration pales to the joy Ive felt following this club. I was living in North London in 2004 and saw his team win the league undefeated. The football was elegant, incisive, ruthless and almost effortlessly ambitious. That was more than special. It was magic. It was Wengers oddly academic approach to football that inspired me to do my coaching courses and work with the young players Ive spent the last five years with. Ive met many wonderful people as a result, won a few medals and seen a lot of girls develop into the very best players they could be. Ive loved it, all of it. (Yes, even losing a gold medal on penalties in 2010--although that one still stings, I admit.) I love football. I love the Arsenal. And the very least I can do today is thank Professor Wenger for his tenure with the club I adore. Anyone who cares about the sport has been lucky you took this job. Merci.
Posted on: Fri, 21 Mar 2014 12:23:57 +0000
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