Mitch Freeley

Arsene Wenger has revealed exclusively to beIN SPORTS that he was willing to sacrifice his own job over the football values in which he has in place at the North London club. Wenger is set to match Sir Alex Fergusons record of 810 Premier League games managed when Arsenal take on Crystal Palace on Thursday evening. 

“It is a formidable commitment and a sacrifice of my life for this club and the game I love. It means as well that I have managed in my life to give substance to the club” noted Wenger when asked about his 21-year association with the Gunners. 

“When I speak of substance I mean the way to play football and the way to behave and the values you want to respect. I would lose my job for the values I believe in are right. I believe that I am in accordance with my club for that and I am absolutely proud of that.”

Wenger’s all-encompassing philosophy and footballing values revolutionised Arsenal when he joined from Japanese side Nagoya Grampus Eight in August 1996. What came was a period of initial success at the North London club including a league and cup double during the 1997/1998 season. Whilst his crowning glory as Arsenal boss came during the 2003–04 campaign as the Gunners went the whole season undefeated in the league gaining the squad the nickname The Invincibles. 

“There is no match you enjoy the most, the match you enjoy the match is the last one if you have won it” added the French coach when asked to pick out some key games from his tenure with the side.

Arsenal has yet to win the league following their move to the Emirates stadium, despite this Wenger added that he enjoys how his sides down the years have embodied his personal vision on how football can be played.  “The fact that the big pleasure is to share the positive emotions and to be capable to play the football as close as possible to perfect in some parts of the game” 

Wenger added that last season’s FA Cup win over Chelsea ranks as one of his favourite moments with the club. “The first winning of the championship, the FA Cup final last year these big games, big trophies that is what you keep.”

The Gunners boss signed a two-year contract last summer, much to the discontent of some sections of the fanbase, however, the 68-year-old coach insisted that he is constantly looking forward with the side. “In our job you are addicted to the future you don’t look back maybe I will do one day but now you always expect more from the next game.”