Do Not Sell My Personal Information
The day is finally upon us gooners. Arsenal kick off their Champions League knockout stage campaign in just over an hour and a half from now, and the lads will be looking to lay down a marker. The match of course also represents a significant moment for Arsene Wenger who faces his old team for the first time in a competitive match.
The boss was typically coy in regards to his emotions going into the match, saying he is only focused on Arsenal’s success and that this is no time for reflection or nostalgia, but surely some emotions will surface during the tie.
After all, Monaco was the club where Wenger’s true legacy began. He enjoyed a successful spell at the club, claiming the Ligue 1 title in his first season with the club (1987-88) as well as the 1991 Coupe de France.
He also guided Monaco to the European Cup Winners’ Cup final in 1992 and also the semifinals of the Champions League in 1994. Although he unfortunately lost both of those to Werder Bremen and Milan respectively, Wenger lead one of the most successful eras in Monaco history.
Upon first arrival at the club, Wenger identified quite a few players including Spurs hero Glenn Hoddle and Bordeaux and France defender Patrick Battison. Milan striker Mark Hateley also joined the club helping Wenger’s men win the league in his first season at the helm.
At the start of the 1988-89 season, Wenger recruited Liberian sensation George Weah who lead the team in scoring, but could not lead them to another title. The club finished third behind Marseille and PSG while also losing the Coupe de France to Marseille.
They would get their revenge two seasons later. After again falling short in the league in 1989-90, Wenger’s side faced a rematch with Marseille in the 1991 Coupe de France final, winning through a last minute goal.
In 1991–92, Monaco finished in second place in Ligue 1 and lost the 1992 European Cup Winners’ Cup Final 2–0 to Werder Bremen. Despite acquiring a certain Jurgen Klinsmann, Wenger’s Monaco never could quite recapture the league title and finished third and ninth in the seasons following. They did reach the semi-finals of the Champions League in 1994, but were defeated by eventual winners Milan.
Wenger gained much attention and recognition for his work at Monaco, and was approached by Bayern Munich in 1994. He turned down their advances, opting to stay with Monaco but was subsequently released after a poor start to the season. From there he joined Nagoya Grampus Eight in Japan from 1995-96, winning the Emporor’s Cup and J-League Super Cup, before joining Arsenal in 1997.
The rest is history as you know and 18 years later he has come full circle. Amazing game football is. If the match is anywhere near as enthralling as the background story, we should be in for a real doozy tonight.
