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Wenger's XI

Arsene Wenger’s all-time XI: Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp are in, is Robert Pires? And who sneaks in at right-back?

Frenchman has been a manager for over 30 years and won trophies in England, France and Japan, but who's in line-up?

AS PART of series of world class managers’ all-time XIs, we look at Arsene Wenger.

The Frenchman has been a football boss for 32 years.

 Arsene Wenger shows off the league and FA Cup double he won with Arsenal in 1998
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Arsene Wenger shows off the league and FA Cup double he won with Arsenal in 1998Credit: PA:Press Association

And he has won trophies in France, Japan and England — managing some of the greatest players in the world.


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He has led Monaco and Arsenal to Cup Winners’ Cup, Uefa Cup and Champions League finals.

But who makes into his best XI?

Goalkeeper

David Seaman

 David Seaman celebrates title glory in Arsene Wenger's first full season
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David Seaman celebrates title glory in Arsene Wenger's first full seasonCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

IT WAS a tough call with Jens Lehmann an important part of the 2003-04 Invincibles side.

Seaman may no longer have been ‘Safe Hands’ when Wenger arrived — but together they enjoyed enormous success.

While both at Highbury, they won the league twice and the FA Cup three times in a six-and-a-half-year spell.

Defence

Bacary Sagna

 Bacary Sagna was the best right-back in the Premier League while at Arsenal
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Bacary Sagna was the best right-back in the Premier League while at ArsenalCredit: Action Images

ANOTHER difficult and, somewhat controversial call.

Lee Dixon, Lauren and even Hector Bellerin all have a strong claim for the right-back berth.

But Sagna was class when he first who could legitimately claim to be the best in the division.

Sol Campbell

 Sol Campbell was one of most dominant centre halves in Premier League history
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 Sol Campbell was one of most dominant centre halves in Premier League historyCredit: Reuters

ONE the easier choices.

Wenger inherited a brilliant back four he arrived in North London — but in Campbell he signed one of the best around.

The powerful defender moved on a free from arch-rivals Tottenham and won the Premier League twice.

Tony Adams

 Tony Adams and Arsene Wenger celebrate title success in 1997-98 season
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Tony Adams and Arsene Wenger celebrate title success in 1997-98 seasonCredit: PA:Press Association

ICONIC captain who was so good he has a statue outside the Emirates stadium.

Adams only-ever played for the Gunners and was a safe bet for Wenger.

A leader on the pitch who the league and FA Cup Double twice with the Frenchman.

Ashley Cole

 Ashley Cole started off his career at Arsenal under tutelage of Arsene Wenger
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Ashley Cole started off his career at Arsenal under tutelage of Arsene WengerCredit: PA:Press Association

MAY not be every Arsenal fan’s favourite players given the way he left the club, but he is still to be replaced.

Wenger is the man under whom Cole played the majority of his club football.

A brilliant defender who has legitimate claim to be the best left-back in Premier League history.

Midfield

Patrick Vieira

 Patrick Vieira was so powerful and difficult to knock off the ball at Arsenal
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Patrick Vieira was so powerful and difficult to knock off the ball at ArsenalCredit: AP:Associated Press

A MARSHALL on the field whose departure was the catalyst for Arsenal’s downturn in form.

Vieira was the first real imposing foreign import in the Premier League and is commonly regarded as one of the finest central midfielders in English football history.

It was so difficult to get the ball off the Frenchman and he would often start attacks with his powerful forward running.

And honourable mention goes to Emmanuel Petit was brilliant for Wenger at both Monaco and Arsenal.

Glenn Hoddle

 Arsene Wenger with signings Mark Hateley and Glenn Hoddle at Monaco in 1987
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Arsene Wenger with signings Mark Hateley and Glenn Hoddle at Monaco in 1987Credit: Getty Images

WENGER brought the mesmeric passer to Monaco in 1987 alongside Mark Hateley.

Hoddle was one of the finest English players on the ball and would not look out of place in a Pep Guardiola side.

Together, they won the French title in their first season, while the former Tottenham ace won the French Division One Foreign Football of the Year award, and the French Cup in 1991.

Robert Pires

 Robert Pires is undoubtedly one of the best wingers in Premier League history
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Robert Pires is undoubtedly one of the best wingers in Premier League historyCredit: PA:Press Association

ANOTHER Frenchman who shone under Wenger at Arsenal.

Pires provided the flair to the midfield brawn as the Gunners powered their way to two league titles in three years from 2002-04.

He scored 84 goals — with the odd one sensational — and won the Football Writers‘ Player of the Year award in 2002.

Forwards

 Dennis Bergkamp was a sensational player, who started philosophy change at Arsenal
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Dennis Bergkamp was a sensational player, who started philosophy change at ArsenalCredit: PA:Press Association

Dennis Bergkamp

JUST a sensational player.

He wasn’t brought to Arsenal by Wenger, but he enjoyed his best football under the Frenchman.

Bergkamp won the the double Player of the Year award as the Gunners won the Double in 1998.

Thierry Henry

 Thierry Henry became Arsenal's record goal scorer with a 175 strikes
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Thierry Henry became Arsenal's record goal scorer with a 175 strikesCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

AN ABSOLUTE certainty.

Henry was just on a different level and scored at least 20 Premier League goals in five consecutive seasons.

His record of 175 strikers over two spells at Arsenal is a club record.

George Weah

 George Weah first came to Europe in 1988 with French principality side, Monaco
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George Weah first came to Europe in 1988 with French principality side, MonacoCredit: Getty Images

THE Liberian is one of the most iconic players of the 1990s — and it was Wenger who brought him to Europe.

Joined Monaco in 1988 and was voted African Football of the Year.

Weah was the spearhead for the 1991 French Cup triumph and won the French Division 1 Player of the Year.

Just beats off competition from Jurgen Klinsmann who replaced him at Monaco when he left for Paris Saint-Germain.


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