Wenger: Last four years the best
Despite failing to add to his haul of silverware, Arsene Wenger believes the last four years have been his best period in charge of Arsenal.
The Frenchman was appointed Gunners boss in 1996 and achieved Barclays Premier League and FA Cup double success in 1998 and 2002, while also adding the league title in 2004 and the FA Cup in 2003 and 2005.
Arsenal reached the 2006 Champions League final, losing to Barcelona, while Wenger also presided over a 49-game unbeaten run between May 2003 and October 2004 by Arsenal’s ’Invincibles’.
Yet, the 60-year-old believes moving to the Emirates Stadium and the overhaul of the club’s training ground have been his greatest achievements.
“I think moving into a new stadium and keeping the team at the top in the last four years is, for me, my best period at my club,” he told www.arsenal.com.
“Unfortunately it is as well the period when we have not won trophies. But people forget that we have been reasonably consistent.”
Wenger’s policy of blooding youngsters in the Carling Cup is yet to yield rewards.
They reached the final in 2007, but are still to turn their promise into trophies, testing many fans’ patience.
Wenger concedes it has been a trying time.
But he insists Arsenal retaining their Champions League status throughout the barren run and the club’s ability to stay financially stable has been crucial.
“It has been the most difficult period but as well for me the period where I worked the best,” he said.
“To move into a new stadium and yet still make some money in every single year without the team dropping the level, then maintaining a successful period in the Champions League, and doing reasonably well in the league has been quite difficult.”
Meanwhile, the Gunners and Hull were yesterday charged by the Football Association with failing to control their players following the Barclays Premier League clash on December 19.
A bad-tempered match at the Emirates Stadium erupted shortly before half-time when Samir Nasri appeared to tread on the ankle of Hull’s Richard Garcia.
Stephen Hunt then clashed with Nasri and a mass confrontation took place in front of referee Steve Bennett, with Arsenal goalkeeper Almunia sprinting 100 yards to get involved.
Players from both sides became embroiled in ugly scenes with Bennett eventually booking Hunt and Nasri.
Arsenal went on to win the game 3-0. The clubs have until January 13 to respond.
