Today marks the twentieth anniversary of Arsene Wenger’s unveiling as Arsenal manager. We take a look at his first Arsenal line-up from 1996.
Arsene Wenger celebrates winning the Premier League and FA Cup in his first full season in charge
Arsene Wenger was unveiled as Arsenal’s manger on 22nd September 1996 – amid feelings of curiosity and surprise. The man chosen to replace Bruce Rioch at Highbury was not the name on most fans’ minds. Indeed, the two favourites for the post were Terry Venables, fresh from a successful Euro 96 with the England national team, and the late, great Johan Cruyff.
When chairman David Dein ultimately appointed the lesser known Wenger – who had previously coached in Japan’s J-League – it was met with derision by some, including the Arsenal players themselves, and fans wondering who on earth he was.
Fast forward twenty years, and today Wenger can look back on huge successes from his time leading Arsenal. Three Premier League titles, two league and cup double winning seasons (1997-98 & 2001-2002), an entire league season unbeaten (2003-04), a Champions League final (2005-2006), the transition away from Highbury to the Emirates Stadium and a complete transformation of club culture and philosophy.
Perhaps the most influence that Wenger had was over the development of his players – think of the progress that the likes of Nicolas Anelka, Thierry Henry, Cesc Fabregas, Robert Pires and Freddie Ljunberg made under Wenger’s tutelage.
Thierry Henry was transformed into one of the world’s best under Arsene Wenger
The aforementioned change of club culture is seen when comparing Wenger teams of recent years to the one that he first worked with on his arrival back in September 1996.
Arsene Wenger’s first game in the dugout was an away fixture against reigning Premier League champions Blackburn Rovers. The result was a 2-0 victory for Wenger’s side. Here is what happened to those on the Frenchman’s first ever Arsenal team sheet…
GK – David Seaman
Arsene Wenger lines up with David Seaman and Thierry Henry before the 2003 FA Cup final with Southampton. They won the game 1-0
The legendary goalkeeper played more than 400 times for Arsenal and was the back bone of their famous defensive line of the 1990s. Under Wenger, Seaman was the undisputed first choice until his move to Manchester City in 2003. Seaman retired, aged 40, in January 2004. Wenger’s best goalkeeper over his twenty years.
Arsene Wenger celebrates winning the Premier League and the FA Cup with captain Tony Adams
DEFENCE – Lee Dixon, Martin Keown, Tony Adams, Steve Bould, Nigel Winterburn
Stalwarts of George Graham’s famed defence, Steve Bould, Tony Adams, Lee Dixon and Nigel Winterburn all had their careers prolonged due to the manager’s approach to nutrition and player welfare. No-nonsense defender Martin Keown was added to the side as Wenger played with three centre-backs for his first season in charge.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger and his assistant Steve Bould
Steve Bould, Wenger’s current assistant, was the first to leave – joining Sunderland in 1999. Winterburn departed in 2000 in a move to West Ham United. Right-back Dixon and captain Adams both retired in 2002, after the second double-winning season under Wenger. Keown retired two years later, as part of Wenger’s ‘invincibles’ squad of 2003-04. Keown’s departure signalled the end to the ‘old-guard’ – something that Wenger never managed to re-create at Arsenal.
Martin Keown
MIDFIELD – Paul Merson, David Platt, Patrick Vieira
Arsene Wenger’s signing of Patrick Vieira was completed before he became Arsenal manager. In fact, Wenger is famed for demanding Arsenal sign the teenage Vieira from AC Milan whilst he was still in Japan with Nagoya Grampus 8. Vieira would surge under Wenger’s guidance and during his time as an Arsenal player Vieira won the World Cup, European Championships (both with France) and experienced great success with a trophy-laden spell in England.
Vieira was captain of Arsenal as he led them through the unbeaten 2003-04 Premier League season before scoring the winning penalty in the 2005 FA Cup Final with his last kick for Arsenal. Vieira moved to Serie A, where he played for Juventus and Inter Milan, before returning to England with Manchester City. Vieira is currently the Head Coach of MLS side New York City FC. Alongside Thierry Henry, perhaps Arsene Wenger’s best Arsenal signing.
Arsene Wenger celebrates winning the Premier League title with Patrick Vieira at the end of their famous invincibles season
Currently found managing in the Indian Super League, David Platt played a significant role in midfield during Wenger’s first two seasons, before starting a coaching career in 1998. Spells in charge with Nottingham Forest and England Under-21s followed, but neither experience drew parallels with Platt’s successful playing career with club and country.
Paul Merson was yet another who was saved from career self-sabotage by Wenger; who managed to get a good season out of the midfielder before Merson joined Middlesbrough ahead of the 1997-98 season. Merson, after what could be considered a failed career as a manager, is now a TV pundit – who has recently, and repeatedly, criticised Arsene Wenger’s management of Arsenal since the turn of the decade.
ATTACK – Ian Wright & John Hartson
Arsenal legend Ian Wright broke the club’s scoring record under Wenger’s management
Goal scoring hero Ian Wright was instrumental for Arsenal in the early-to-mid 1990s and served Wenger well during his first two seasons. Wright, who scored both goals in Wenger’s 2-0 first game victory in charge of Arsenal, bagged 185 goals in 279 starts during his much-adored period with the Gunners. He remained Arsenal’s all-time record goal scorer until Thierry Henry claimed that crown in February 2006. Wright transferred to West Ham United in the summer of 1998, before winding down his career with spells at Nottingham Forest, Celtic and Burnley. Now works as a TV pundit.
John Hartson was prolific for Celtic, less so for Wenger
George Graham made John Hartson – Wright’s striking partner for Wenger’s first game – Britain’s most expensive teenager when he signed the Welshman for £2.5 million from Luton Town in January 1995. With Bruce Rioch’s signing of Dennis Bergkamp, Hartson saw playing time diminish and, after just six months under Wenger, Hartson was transferred to West ham United for £3.2 million. Hartson also played for Coventry City and West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League, sandwiched in between was his most prolific career spell where he scored 88 goals in 146 league games for Celtic. In 2009 Hartson successfully battled testicular cancer and now front the John Harton Foundation alongside his media work.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
