In 1996, Arsenal made the decision to appoint a certain Arsene Wenger as their new manager. The Frenchman was a complete unknown in England, having been managing in Japan before his move to North London, with many wondering how Wenger would adapt to the Premier League.
It did not take long for Wenger to start having a positive impact at Arsenal. The manager completely overhauled the club’s dieting habits, a practice that would spread throughout other teams in the coming years. Combined with his on-pitch philosophy, training methods and smart signings, Wenger won his first Premier League title just two years after his appointment as part of a double with the FA Cup.
Arsenal’s league and cup double in 1998 was repeated four years later in 2002, though Wenger’s third Premier League title win is what he is best remembered for. The 2003/04 season saw the Gunners win the league with an unbeaten record, a first for an English side since Preston North End in the 19th century.
Though they would ultimately lose to Barcelona, 2006 marked Wenger’s first and only Champions League final with Arsenal, the same year that the club moved to the Emirates Stadium. Despite winning no silverware for nine years after the move, Wenger ensured that Arsenal remained a top-four side.
Wenger’s accomplishments, consistency and impact on the game have seen him rightly ranked amongst the best managers to ever grace the Premier League. Wenger has long been, and remains, a well-respected figure in football who continues to share his opinions, such as when, earlier in 2025, he named who he thought were favourites for the Ballon d’Or.
Wenger Names Three Who Could Win Ballon d’Or
Praise for attacking trio
As per beIN SPORTS via TNT Sports, Wenger spoke after Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on their way to what would become their second Premier League title. Liverpool star Mohamed Salah notched a goal and an assist in that match, part of his record-setting 47 goal contributions this season. About Salah, Wenger said:
“You wouldn’t rule him out (for the Ballon d’Or). You have (Kylian) Mbappe, certainly, to fight with him, Vinicius (Junior) will fight with him. We see again what we have seen so many times in the modern game, 67% possession for Man City, 2-0 for Liverpool. This is down to people who are a level above, like Salah. He scored the goal and made an assist.
“I read somewhere that he contributed with goals and assists to 31 points for Liverpool this season. You can not rule him out for any special award. This guy is exceptional.”
|Mohamed Salah's 24/25 Season Stats|
|Competition|Appearances|Goals|Assists|Minutes Played|
|Premier League|38|29|18|3,380'|
|Champions League|9|3|4|809'|
|League Cup|5|2|1|312'|
|---|
Salah was the Premier League’s top scorer and top assist maker which, combined with his league title and Player of the Year award, capped off an incredible season for the Egyptian. For Real Madrid, Mbappe has enjoyed a great first season in Spain, though he and Vinicius Jr, who came close to the Ballon d’Or in 2024, could not win the league title.
The quality of both Vinicius Jr. and Mbappe is evident and under the guidance of Xabi Alonso, Real will no doubt be in contention for every major honour available to them in the new season. Given Salah’s exploits in 2025 thus far, however, he has made an exceptionally strong case to win the prestigious award for the first time in his career.
( Stats are fromTransfermarktand are correct as of 29/05/2025 )
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