Arsenal legend Arsene Wenger is one of the greatest managers in the history of the Premier League, and helped reshape football on and off the pitch.
Whilst the likes of Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp have been at the top end of English football in the last few seasons, Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson shared the greatest rivalry in the history of the Premier League as they both achieved greatness over 20 years ago.
Wenger’s final few seasons at Arsenal were difficult, and the arrival of Guardiola in English football brought major changes, tactical and otherwise, to the league, but Wenger’s arrival in England in 1996 was perhaps the most impactful out of anyone.
Guardiola has now praised the impact Wenger had, after the two shared lunch together in recent days as the Frenchman was fulfilling UEFA award duties.
Pep Guardiola praises Arsene Wenger
Speaking in a press conference, Guardiola highlighted the impact Wenger had when he arrived in English football, and claimed that his ideas are still seen at Arsenal even now.
“What can I say for Arsène? He’s like Sir Alex Ferguson, a legend from this in what he introduced in English football was, in that time, amazing and I think the legacy is still continuing in Arsenal,” he stated.
When asked why the two shared lunch together, Guardiola gave a humourous response.
“He came from representing UEFA to give some awards to the players that they could not get in the gala, and after we are like gentlemen, we invited him to lunch. He didn’t pay, good wine, and yeah, it was nice.”
Arsene Wenger’s impact upon his arrival at Arsenal
Glenn Hoddle recently highlighted what Wenger had been implementing at Monaco prior to his Arsenal move, and he knew exactly what would happen when he eventually moved to Highbury in a somewhat surprise move.
Wenger immediately issued a strict diet and training regime, which also saw him attempt to cut down the heavy drinking culture within the club.
This saw him extend the careers of players such as Tony Adams, and there were instant results. In his first full season, Wenger’s side had won the double, with a ruthless 10-game winning streak to finish off the Premier League season.
His methods focusing on conditioning were soon adopted by the rest of the league, and are now a huge focus for clubs and modern managers, but he was truly the torchbearer when it came to maximising fitness for performance.