Yet again Arsenal make it into the last 16 of the Champions League after a challenging group, however their next test comes in the form of a team that Arsene Wenger will have fond memories of – Monaco. A tough match up for the Londoners but one that many Arsenal fans will be delighted with the draw – avoiding giants Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, PSG and Barcelona.
Monaco was only Wenger’s second managerial challenge, very early on in his managerial career in 1987, after his short spell at Nancy-Lorraine. At Monaco, the Frenchman made some considerable impact on the club – especially with the top players he signed at the time such. This includes England and Tottenham midfielder Glen Hoddle on a free-transfer, defender Patrick Battiston from Bordeaux and Mark Hateley – a talented centre forward. These three players enhanced his team in his first season; allowing Wenger to achieve instant success by winning the league in his first season by six points, ahead of Bordeaux.
In the French manager’s second season he could not retain the title despite their excellent goal tally, managing to finish third thanks to the purchase of Liberian star George Weah. He also came close to bringing cup success if it were not for a narrow 4-3 defeat in the final to another top French club, Marseille.
Wenger continued to find gifted strikers throughout his time at Monaco, including Ramon Diaz and Jurgen Klinsmann who netted goals at very respectable rates for the French team; however not quite pushing them to silverware – both reaching second place in the league in 1992 and then losing the 1992 European Cup Winners Cup against Werder Bremen by two goals to none. After one last disappointment, being knocked out in the 1994 Champions League in the semi-final, Arsene Wenger was subsequently dismissed after a poor start to the 1994/95 season.
Since moving on from Monaco, Arsene Wenger has since developed greatly as a leader and a manager to reach the levels required for a lengthy and legendary career at Arsenal FC, where success has come in different shapes and sizes, but success nonetheless. The former Monaco boss will receive a good reception on Wednesday, none more so than the away fans, and that may inspire the 65-year-old to get the desired result for the North Londoners.