11 of the best quotes on Arsène Wenger by his former Arsenal players

Quick Reads

Planet Football
22nd October 2019

In more than 20 years at Arsenal, Arsène Wenger left his mark on a lot of people, and it was more good than bad.

Wenger won three Premier League titles during his time in north London, as well as a number of other trophies, but that’s not the full extent of his influence.

The Frenchman has been credited for helping change English football, and there’s no better way to demonstrate that than by looking at what some of his former charges have had to say about him.

Thierry Henry

“He was a father figure, he helped me to become a better player, unlocked stuff in my brain that was sometimes stopping myself, things that are obvious but at 22 you’re trying to find out the player you can be.”

To end Arsene Wenger throwback week, here is another tribute video, that contains Weah, Henry and Vieira speeches. Thank you for everything, legend! #WengerTbWeek pic.twitter.com/WOi4mOjNoZ

— AfcVIP⁴⁹ (@VipArsenal) October 13, 2019

Cesc Fàbregas

“I can name you so many young players that nobody else in the world believed in, but he did. Then they became world class and they won everything in the game.”

Jens Lehmann

“The manager from whom I learned the most is Arsène Wenger. He is a perfectionist, who does not only know how to defend but who has an exact idea of the game’s movement when going forwards.”

Abou Diaby

“He is someone who is able to understand the personality of his players and uses that to make them successful. The players then feel good. The most important thing for me was that he believed in me.”

About Diaby last night, after announcing his retirement, said a few words about Arsène Wenger. Note that his career fizzled out due to injuries and yet, these are his words on his ex manager. I say it again, Nobody in the history of this sport will ever have the same human impact pic.twitter.com/v0fTikFCnh

— Student des Spiels (@StudentOfArsene) February 26, 2019

Mesut Özil

“He always protected and supported me the best way he could. I’m very thankful he was my coach. Would love to see him as a club manager again.”

Alexis Sanchez

“I always said he is a gentleman and a football master, he taught me a lot about respect and to be professional. I’m just so thankful to him.”

Kolo Touré

“He will be remembered as one of the best managers in Arsenal, if not the best manager.”

Jack Wilshere

“Arsène always backed me. And I think sometimes he could see in me that I was down or lacking confidence, and he always just said, ‘Believe in yourself.’ And I felt he believed in me.”

Is it ❤️ between Jack Wilshere and Arsene Wenger? 🥰 pic.twitter.com/ulbCJuoOC5

— Goal (@goal) October 12, 2019

Robert Pirès

“He’s a great manager, a great person. For me, he was in love with Arsenal.”

Freddie Ljungberg

“Arsene wanted me to see the picture. That was the most positive change. He gave me confidence and let me express myself.”

Héctor Bellerín

“I think there are loads of values that loads of clubs try and instil, and they want their image to be like this, and to be like that, but at the end of the day it’s the people that you deal with that make the club and Arsenal has always been like a family to me because of how I have been treated by the likes of Steve Bould and Arsène Wenger.”