Wenger envisions Arsenal's Premier League triumph under Mikel Arteta's 'organized' stewardship

Arsenal legendary manager Arsene Wenger (Photo Credit: Arsenal/Twitter)

PREMIER LEAGUE Wenger envisions Arsenal's Premier League triumph under Mikel Arteta's 'organized' stewardship

Mark Kinyanjui 16:23 - 04.08.2023

Legendary former Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger is delighted that the progress the club made in his 22 year-spell in charge of the club is continuing to grow under Mikel Arteta

Legendary former Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger is delighted that the progress the club made in his 22 year-spell in charge of the club is continuing to grow under current regime.

Although Arsene Wenger’s place in history was already assured thanks to the three league titles and seven FA Cups he won in charge of the club, it was fully cast in bronze at the beginning of July after he was immortalized with a statue outside the stadium.

Speaking to the club’s media following the unveiling of the statue, Wenger admitted that when he looks at the upward trajectory the club took under current incumbent Mikel Arteta, he is filled with satisfaction and pride that the foundations he created continue to be used as the blueprint for success.

“I worked for this club when I had the experience and capacity to look at the bigger picture,” he said after visiting his statue for the first time. “Many times I said I want to work and prepare this club to go even higher up after me, and I wish every day that happens now.

“I feel that the effort and the suffering was worth it. Now the club is in good hands; It’s in the hands of two ex-players in Mikel Arteta and Edu; I bought Edu when he was at Corinthians and Mikel Arteta from Everton, and they are guiding the club well. I can look at it in a relaxed way!

“I feel that Mikel is doing well, making the right decisions, and having an organised team who, for me, can now challenge for the championship. We did it last year, let’s get over the line this year. 

“I’m confident because last year with eight games to go, I always felt we would do it. We invested again a lot this year and strengthened the squad well, so overall I’m very happy with the three signings. We have all the tools to do well and to challenge for the championship.”

Wenger returned to Emirates Stadium for just the second time since he waved goodbye in May 2018, and he admits that over two decades of memories instantly hit him every time he steps through the doors of our home again.

That was the case again on Thursday when a special private lunch was held in his honor at the stadium, with former players, staff members and friends all invited to celebrate his tenure and legacy following last week’s statue installation. 

“It’s always very emotional because it’s like a film going through your head, you know? It’s very difficult to select the emotions because you are flooded by many emotional situations that you experienced before - on that front, it’s not easy. 

“On the other hand, you are happy because you feel you are back home. Five years on I feel strongly attached and linked to the club. The attachment is unbelievably strong and it’s funny because it’s Arsène and Arsenal - it looks like my destiny.

“I’m less [stressed] but I still kick every ball. I look at the decisions made, the bad decisions and the good decisions as well, so the tension is still there, but it’s not comparable. I think if I were here every week, I’d be much more tense, but when I come back once in a while, I want as well to enjoy it, to see friends and get a good taste of the atmosphere here.”