Arsene Wenger’s top five moments in charge of The Gunners

For all the lows that are explicitly regurgitated over and over again by opposition fans, people seem to forget the glory that Arsene Wenger brought to Arsenal.

We’re all still a bit teary-eyed here in Power Tower after his shock accountment of his planned departure on Friday.

To cheer us all up, here’s the 68-year-old’s five finest moments at the club in no particular order. But, we all can kind of guess number one.

2001-02 Premier League season

We’re so used to Wenger being questioned these days, that the quizzing of his position almost seems mundane.

However, back in 2001, people weren’t convinced he’d ever achieve anything again – especially as Manchester United were somewhat of a juggernaut and everyone’s favourites to land a fourth title in a row.

At half-time in their first meeting, it seemed at half-time that those suspicions were justified after Paul Scholes put the Reds ahead. Freddie Ljungberg equalised three minutes into the second half before a brace from Thierry Henry sparked the turning point in the season.

Arsenal would go on to drop points in just four of their next 25 Premier League games and Wenger would be back atop the footballing mountain.

First League Title

They say the first time is often the best time. Who’s this French bloke and why does he think he can make an impact in the Premier League? Why, it’s Arsene Wenger of course.

After a turbulent start to life in the revamped English top tier, The Gunners took a gamble on Mr Wenger to come in and guide them into the 21^st century. Did we ever.

Manchester United had won four of the first five Premier League campaigns – Jack Walker’s wallet helping Blackburn to pick up their crown in 1994-95. Wenger was at the helm just two seasons and he rejuvenated the entire football club. He had arrived, and in what style.

FA Cup Glory

The nature of cup competitions often means it’s hard to consistently be successful in them. In Wenger’s time at Arsenal, it became his trophy.

He lifted that famous cup seven times during his tenure and that legacy in itself is enough to cement his place in history.

Newcastle in ’98 for the double, Tim Lovevoy screaming “It’s only Ray Parlour”, Pires for back-to-back cups, beating United on penalties, Ramsey in extra-time against Hull, the rout of Villa and the latest instalment courtesy of that man Ramsey once again.

Arsene Wenger will forever be related to the competition.

Champions League Final

After going unbeaten and picking up 16 of 18 points available in the group stages, this Arsenal side were the most hyped to enter European competition in some time.

Ajax, Thun and Sparta Prague were hardly strong opposition but the job was done.

Thierry Henry’s goal in Madrid, the comfortable success over Juventus and the unlikely hero Kolo Toure seeing off Villareal allowed the Gunners to face off against Barcelona in Paris. While the final itself didn’t go their way, it’s comfortably the biggest day Arsenal have had in a generation.

With 15 minutes to go, it appeared on – only for two goals in five minutes to spoil the dream.

The Invincibles

Winning league titles is great. In fact, the core element of competition is winning. If you don’t want to win, you’re nothing.

Yet, despite Arsenal picking up league titles, the one thing people will remember most from Wenger’s tenure is the 49-game unbeaten run he put together with Arsenal.

Guardiola might be playing the best football, United may have the most league titles – but nobody has done what Wenger achieved back then, and probably won’t ever again.

That’s what you call a legacy – compiling the most decorated side in the history of the competition.