'13 Years But Arsene Wenger's Journey Is Still On'

Arsene Wenger became Arsenal's longest-serving manager on thursday.The man who admitted that the club was "crazy" to give him the job in the first place breaks George Allison's record of 4,748 days at the helm - from June 1934, to May 1947.

Wenger was given the job in October 1996, and that time, most fans, accompanying headlines of "Arsene Who", felt the Gunners had taken leave of their senses but now those people will regret their words given the stupendous work the man has done.

Wenger, famously known as the Professor, is known for transforming the 'boring, boring Arsenal' of old into a club synonymous with his own unique brand of pass-and-move football.

Along the way, Wenger has delivered three Barclays Premier League titles, four FA Cups and a place in the 2006 UEFA Champions League final.

He has brought many Trophies to Club's Cabinet but, the achievement that gives him the most satisfaction is the 2003-2004 season, when Arsenal went unbeaten throughout the entire Premier League season earning them the famous title "Invincibles".

But Wenger readily admits that setbacks, such as the defeat by Barcelona in Paris in the Champions League Final and last season's semi-final loss to Manchester United, still hurts but provide him with all the motivation to carry on.

Failing to deliver trophies for the past five years haven't restrained him from working with talents like Cesc Fabregas, Theo Walcott, Aaron Ramsey & Jack Wilshere and he believes that the current squad is well capable of lifting major silverware this season.

No matter what criticism is thrown at Arsene, he will continue to work, adhering to his beliefs and defying his critics, to bring success to his beloved Arsenal.

Arsène Wenger Profile

Name: Arsène Wenger

Born: October 22nd, 1949, Strasbourg, France

Previous clubs as player: Mutzig, Mulhouse, Strasbourg

Clubs as manager/coach: Strasbourg (youth), Cannes (assistant), Nancy, AS Monaco, Grampus Eight Nagoya

Joined Arsenal: October 1st, 1996

First match as manager: Blackburn Rovers (a), Premier League, October 12, 1996, Won 2-0

Honours (Monaco): French League Championship 1988, French Cup winners 1991, French 'Manager of the Year' 1988

Honours (Grampus Eight): Japan's 'Manager of the Year' 1995, Emperor's Cup winner 1996, Japanese Super Cup winner 1996

Honours (Arsenal): League championship 1998, 2002, 2004, FA Cup winners 1998, 2002, 2003, 2005, Voted 'Manager of the Year' 1998, 2002, 2004

Comparison between Arsene & Allison

WENGER AND ALLISON - DAYS IN CHARGE

Year	Wenger's days in charge		Year	Allison's days in charge
2009	274 (on October 1, 2009)		1947	151
2008	366		1946	365
2007	365		1945	365
2006	365		1944	366
2005	365		1943	365
2004	366		1942	365
2003	365		1941	365
2002	365		1940	366
2001	365		1939	365
2000	366		1938	365
1999	365		1937	365
1998	365		1936	366
1997	365		1935	365
1996	92		1934	214
Total	4,749			Total4,748

ARSENE WENGER'S FULL ARSENAL RECORD

Competition	P	W	D	L	F	A
League	492	288	126	78	922	437
FA Cup	70	49	12	9	128	49
League Cup	45	28	3	14	93	61
UEFA Champions League	121	59	32	30	182	114
UEFA Cup	11	6	2	3	22	11
Charity/Community Shield	6	4	0	2	11	5
Total	745	434	175	136	1,359	677

GEORGE ALLISON'S FULL ARSENAL RECORD

Competition	P	W	D	L	F	A
League	251	112	71	68	476	296
FA Cup	24	15	3	6	51	27
League Cup	0	0	0	0	0	0
UEFA Champions League	0	0	0	0	0	0
UEFA Cup	0	0	0	0	0	0
Charity/Community Shield	4	2	0	2	7	4
Total	279	129	74	76	534	327

Extracts from: Dailymail, Foxsports and Arsenaldotcom