"I tried to watch the Spurs match on television in my hotel yesterday, but I fell asleep - Arsene Wenger" It is 26th October 2029. Arsene Wenger has just died, a mere 4 days after his 80th birthday, and tributes are pouring in from all around the world for his outstanding achievements in football. please log in to view this image "He was like a father to me, always there whenever you needed him, always providing you with advice, and to be honest, without him, I would not be where I am today" - Thierry Henry, Second Highest scorer for Arsenal during his time at the club, current manager of Southampton. "No other club would have taken a chance on me. But Arsene saw through my injuries, and saw what I was capable enough. I cannot thank him enough for having the honor of playing under him" - Robin Van Persie, former Arsenal Striker, who's injuries prevented him from rising even further. "My only regret was not knowing him longer. With his guidance I achieved so much, and I am glad that he was my boss until the very end of both our careers" - Alex Oxlade Chamberlain, widely regarded as Arsene Wenger's best ever signing, who retired last year at the same time as Wenger himself. "If God himself were to come down and manage a football club, then what Arsene Wenger has done for Arsenal, well, it would pretty much be the same" - Former Sunderland and Scotland Manager Steve Bruce "A true service to football was provided by this man. Ever since he arrived in this country, he completely transformed the game watched by millions, and his achievements will forever be remembered." - Queen Catherine of Britain Hello, you're listening to BBC 5 Live SHDS. Coming up next, a tribute to one of football's legends, Arsene Wenger, as we retell the story of his career's highs and lows. Part 4: The triumph of 2011-2012 Hello, this is Chris Humphrey, and joining me this week are Ross Barkley, Emmanuel Eboué and Raheem Sterling. Throughout this series we have explored the Career of Arsene Wenger, from his shock double in 97-98 to his invincibles season, a feat which has still never been repeated, apart from in Spain, but seriously, we're gonna forget how Financial Fair Play led to Villareal walking the league, right? Now we move on to the 2011-2012 season, where after many years of hurt, many Arsenal Fans were beginning to turn on him... What are your thoughts Emmanuel? Eboué: This was the season I had left. I wish I had stayed, that was a season to behold. Also, Can it just go on the record that WE would have won 8-2 had I played? Chris: Oh come on, you're not still sore about that? Nowadays everyone only talks about Manchester City's 14-0 loss to Arsenal in May 2017. And I believe you did play a part there... Eboue: ...as assistant manager, correct, though I would have preferred to been part of something like while I was playing. Or at least provided an assistant to one of Walcott's Seven Goals... Chris: So anyway, as Arsenal moved into January, they were languishing in eighth. Wenger's sacking was apparently imminent, with the high flying Carlo Ancelotti (Who had taken a job at Athletico Madrid and was sitting second ahead of their rivals Real) set to replace him. And then, Stan Kroenke announced it. Raheem: It was on that old thing, what's it called, twitter? Anyway, Stan said that he had given up on the club and sold all his shares to Usmanov... Ross: And this provoked mixed reactions naturally. I mean, sure, Usmanov flashed the cash, but what about his past? Chris: Luckily those rumours turned out to be false. Anyway, once Usmanov had a 96% stake in the club (with the remaining shares held by various supporters), he had the financial muscle to finance the one signing I think we can all agree changed Arsenal's season forever. Raheem: ME! Eboué: No Raheem, you signed in the summer! Raheem: Yeah, I know, I just wished that they had signed me earlier. Ross: Ah yes, the signing of Goetze. No signing has been as big in the premier league's history, I mean sure, Cristiano Ronaldo's move to Manchester City as Real Madrid suffered the wrath of financial fair play... Eboué: I'm glad he flopped. It was sad to see everyone call out "Torres!" in local parks when a player missed a certain goal. "Ronaldo!" sounds much nicer anyway. Maybe I should talk some more North Korean and get them to send a nuke to his house... Raheem: Why do you hate Cristiano so much Emmanuel? Eboué: Because of what he did to Ashburton Grove. Ross: Kicking a picture of Cliff Bastin? Eboué: I loved Cliff Bastin. Chris: Back on topic please guys! Arsenal sitting in eighth at the start of January, and then Goetze signing, and then we all know what happens there... Eboué, tell the listeners if you please, for those who somehow don't know. Eboué: Oh great! I love telling stories to kids when I'm presenting Cbeebies, this shouldn't be THAT much different. "So on the first of January, having just signed Goetze, Arsenal sit behind the pack in eighth, as the on screen graphic will tell you now, listeners" 1. Man City 42 2. Man Utd 38 3. Chelsea 35 4. Tottenham 34 5. Liverpool 31 6. Newcastle 29 7. Aston Villa 28 8. Arsenal 27 "A full fifteen points behind City, and as they say, the rest is history..." --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Come back soon for more...
Steve Bruce as Scotland manager, we would never accept an Englishman as our manager, there would be riots lol, were rubbish enough as it is, and were the master race of managers haha. good post tho
Oh there were riots. A lot of them. Fans were protesting right up until he somehow led Scotland to World Cup Qualifcation. They reached the quarter finals, with a famous victory over Argentina in the last 16.
all hail king bruce, he can have the freedom of my village haha, couldnt the victory have been over england lol
this gives me goosebumps - i am a Chelsea fan Arsene Wenger is like Steve Jobs for football in England.. He did revolutionize the way it is played..
Eboue: I suppose to say Goetze was a good signing was an understatement. Instantly, it was as if Arsenal had Fabregas and Nasri back, but as one player! Of course the other signings helped as well... Chris: But we'll get onto those later. Ross, Raheem, what did you think of Goetze? Raheem: I played against him on my debut. Came on at the 83rd minute, I think it was in this season, at Anfield. Ross: I remember this very well! Raheem: Arsenal were winning 2-1 and I scored an equalisier in the 87th minute, to which I was thrilled... Eboué: And as amazing as that was, that day is remembered for something else... Ross and Chris: DIE THUNDERBOLT! Eboué: Oh yes. As former Liverpool player Benayoun was carried off on a stretcher, adding a large amount of time onto stoppage time... Raheem: Which always seems to happen between Liverpool and the Gunners, eh Eboue? Eboué: Yeah, I'm as ashamed of my handball in 2011 as anyone else. Please don't remind me or I will have to crush you with my amazing strength! Ross: This guy works on Cbeebies? Chris: What can I say? He's a hit with the kids... Eboue: I definitely am. Ross: So, back to the point, Van Persie takes the free kick in the 97th minute, but instead of doing what he usually did, which is taking it himself, or giving it to Mikel, he laid it off to Goetze... Eboue: AND FROM THIRTY FIVE YARDS ARSENAL OVERTAKE LIVERPOOL! Raheem: We were so angry that day. Chris: And this proved to be the turning point for Arsenal, didn't it? Ross: Well, I don't know. I would say the turning point was the signing of Karim Benzema, who's 7 goals really saved their season. Eboue: Both of these things really helped Arsenal to their glories this season. I mean, they only finished third, BUT...
The fantasy part is that Raheem Sterling would leave the 5 times European Champions Liverpool for the zero times European champions Arsenal.
He only left after Arsenal beat Liverpool to the final champions league spot. And Arsenal had basically become Man City at this point.
