Arsene Wenger should be extremely proud of what he’s achieved during his 20 years at Arsenal, despite what some might say.
Three Premier League titles, six FA Cups and six Community Shield victories total an impressive 15 trophies as manager – a record largely unrivalled in European football.
What will ultimately irk the Frenchman when he eventually leaves the Gunners, though, is if he fails to end their wait for Premier League glory.
The 2003/04 season is when Wenger last lifted the trophy; since then, he’s been forced to watch on as Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City dominate English football.
In an interview with a former player and Sky Sports pundit Thierry Henry on his special day, Wenger blamed his lack of recent success in the Premier League on two factors.
“It was two contributing factors,” he said. “The first one was that we built a new stadium. We were restricted with our finances, we had to sell our best players.
“The second one, big investors came in at the same time, like Chelsea, like Man City after, who were hugely ambitious and we were not anymore the club who could compete with them on the financial front.”
However, Wenger firmly believes that times have changed and that his Arsenal side are now in a position to not only challenge for the Premier League but win it.
He added: “Today it’s different. There are so many investors that nearly everybody is on an equal level again.”
Wenger’s Arsenal future has long been a hot topic amongst fans and the media alike but for club legend Robert Pires, his former manager won’t leave until he’s won a fourth Premier League title.
“It’s then that I imagine him saying, ‘I’m leaving’,” the Frenchman said, per ESPN. “Each start of the season his number one goal is to win the Premier League.
“Actually, the only time I have seen him really emotional was when we were champions of England in 2004. At the moment he lifted the trophy, I saw him touched, caught up with emotion.
“It’s the year when we finished champions without losing a game. I don’t know if he’ll say it one day, but I think it is his proudest moment.”