Wenger awarded premier French honour". UEFA. 17 July 2002. Archived from the original on 5 May 2012 . Retrieved 3 January 2011.

At Mulhouse, Wenger was managed by Paul Frantz, who also had a profound impact on his career. It was he who formalised Wenger's beliefs on the importance of nutrition, isometrics and working on a player's strong points. [31] Wenger played in midfield for Mulhouse, often positioned on the right. In their final game of the 1974–75 season, the club beat AS Nancy to avoid relegation, but shortly afterwards, Frantz resigned. [32] Wenger also made the decision to leave, as the regular commutes to Mulhouse from Strasbourg overwhelmed him. [32] In 1975, he rekindled his friendship with Hild and signed for amateur club ASPV Strasbourg (Vauban). [32] Hild needed a midfielder "who could organise play and also have a sort of hold over the team" and decided to recruit Wenger. [32] Vauban was formed in 1971, and made steady progress up the French football league system thereafter; Wenger's three seasons at the club culminated with promotion to the third division. [33] Wenger as a Strasbourg player in 1980Manager The Premier League commissioned a unique gold trophy to commemorate Arsenal's achievement of winning the 2003–04 league unbeaten. Wenger was given the trophy as a parting gift from the club after his last home game as manager on 6 May 2018. [429] Several English players have started their careers at Arsenal under Wenger, such as Ashley Cole, David Bentley and Matthew Upson, [397] Wenger commented that an advantage of building his team around British players was the guarantee of stability. [398] Team indiscipline and fair play Sport U Magazine" (PDF). FF Sport U (97): 4–5. April 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 August 2012 . Retrieved 18 May 2012.

It didn't take long for Arsenal's players to become the fittest and leanest in the Premiership. More specifically, Wenger's training produced players who were able to peak at the appropriate moments in the season - what sports scientists call periodising. The famous run-in in the spring of 1998 was a triumph of periodisation. Arsenal were literally stronger at the death. Monaco again finished third in 1989–90; striker Ramón Díaz scored 15 goals in his first season at the club. [61] [62] The club beat league winners Marseille in the Coupe de France final through a last minute goal from substitute Gérald Passi. [60] In 1991–92, Monaco finished in second place and lost the 1992 European Cup Winners' Cup Final 2–0 to Werder Bremen. [63] Although Monaco acquired the services of German striker Jürgen Klinsmann, the club could not regain the championship and concluded the subsequent seasons in third and ninth positions. [64] [65] Monaco did reach the semi-finals of the Champions League in April 1994, but lost to eventual winners Milan. [66] As a result of his work at Monaco, Wenger was sought after by German club Bayern Munich, who wanted him to be their next manager. [67] Monaco refused to let him leave and Wenger chose to stay, but a poor start to the 1994–95 season meant he was dismissed on 17 September 1994, with the team in 17th spot in the table. [68] In 2001, Wenger said that the impact of bribery and corruption had influenced his decision to leave France, as Marseille were found guilty of match fixing in 1994. [69] 1994–1996: Nagoya Grampus EightHaylett, Trevor (14 September 1996). "Red faces as Houston walks out". The Independent. London. p.28. Taylor, Daniel (1 March 2007). "Furious Wenger accuses cup final linesman of telling lies". The Guardian. London . Retrieved 30 December 2015. Fletcher, Paul (26 April 2006). "Why Arsenal came good in Europe". BBC Sport . Retrieved 10 January 2006. In later years, Wenger's training regime has come under criticism, given his squad's poor injury record. [315] From 2004–05 to 2014–15, Arsenal's players lost 13,161 days through injury, the most in the Premier League, and significantly more than Chelsea in second (7,217). [315] In 2014, Wenger acquired the help of fitness coach Shad Forsythe to solve the problem; statistics revealed a year later that Arsenal's average injury length dropped more than 25% in Forsythe's first season. [316] Recruitment and spending policy

History of the Premier League". Premier League. Archived from the original on 9 July 2015 . Retrieved 3 July 2013. Winter, Henry (6 December 2001). "Arsenal sign Wenger with expert timing". The Daily Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 11 January 2022 . Retrieved 3 July 2006. Jones, Meirion (1 June 2006). "Arsenal face Fifa investigation". BBC News . Retrieved 11 March 2016. Morris, Josie (10 March 2006). "This was no English victory says Taylor". The Guardian. London . Retrieved 3 July 2006.At the time of Wenger's tenure in Japan, the result of a J-League match could not be a draw. In the event of scores being level at the end of 90 minutes, matches would be decided by extra time and penalties. [426]