Five things we learned from Arsène Wenger: Invincible


Five things we learned from Arsène Wenger: Invincible

By Jonny Bray
Arsène Wenger: Invincible is essential viewing for anyone who wants to say they are an Arsenal fan.
He did well to keep us in the Champions League with such a poor squad after many of The Invincibles had left, and this documentary gives him the credit he deserves.
The film is the latest in Gabriel Clarke's superb series of documentaries that focus on the game's greatest characters.
From Jack Charlton to Bobby Robson, his documentaries have all been made to an extremely high standard.
This time around, it's the turn of club legend Wenger to come under Clarke's spotlight, and I must say, the end product doesn't disappoint.
Watching the programme will teach you so much about the man Gunners fans have grown to know and love over the years.
So, what are the five things we learned from Arsène Wenger: Invincible?

1. It's much better than the book

Gabriel Clarke's line of questioning and ability to extract every piece of information out of Wenger is absolutely outstanding.
It's a nice contrast to Arsène Wenger: My Life in Red and White, which was a fantastic read but lacked some of the insight into Wenger's failures.
In contrast, Wenger delves deep into his darker moments at Arsenal in this tell-all documentary.
It also allows his former players to have a say on the great man.
From Patrick Vieira to Dennis Bergkamp, everyone speaks about their former manager in glowing terms.
That probably say more about the man than any autobiography ever could.

2. Wenger regrets how his time at Arsenal ended

The phrase "Highbury: my soul. The Emirates: my suffering" sparks a complete change in the documentary's tone.
Celebration turns to pain as Wenger relives some of the darker moments of his final decade at the club.
Fans are still divided on if that was handled correctly or not, but what is abundantly clear throughout the documentary is that Wenger regrets how his time at Arsenal ended.
To be fair to the man, he clearly had opportunities to leave the club at a time where his departure could have ruined the Gunners.
He then saw his legacy ripped apart by pundits, fans and even opposition managers despite not being given the necessary tools to rebuild by the board.
It's nice to finally see him have his say on the criticism he has received.

3. He was incredibly emotional before walking out for his final game managing Arsenal

Some of the most revealing footage of the man from the entire documentary comes right at the end.
Wenger is waiting to walk out the tunnel ahead of his final game in charge at The Emirates.
But he was noticeably uncomfortable and distressed as he paced the corridors of the club he had called home for so long.
He revealed how it felt like a funeral for him, saying, "It's the end of your life, at least of one life, like a funeral. You think about when you arrived, all the players that you managed because you realise that it's the end.
"I managed to control my emotional side. But, of course, the end of a love story is always sad."
It was incredibly moving stuff.

4. Young fans will learn precisely what Arsenal Football Club is about

It's easy to forget, but most Arsenal fans under the age of 21 will have little to no memory of a time when Arsenal were undoubtedly the best.
This documentary shows exactly what it means to be world-class.
Anyone who doubts that Wenger is the greatest manager in the club's history needs to watch this and listen.
Few managers are spoken about as highly by their former players, and even fewer could put a team together as Wenger could.

5. The club has gone backwards since Wenger left

Watching the documentary, it becomes abundantly clear that Wenger was holding together a house of cards.
As soon as he left, it came crashing down, and any hint of the Gunners still being a 'top four' side quickly vanished.
Photo Credit: Getty Images

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