Arsene Wenger profile

Wenger has had a colourful management career

BBC Sport Online outlines the career of Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.

Arsene Wenger was handed the managerial reins at Arsenal in September 1996 following Bruce Rioch's departure.

The 51-year-old Frenchman arrived at Highbury after dragging relegation-threatened Nagoya Grampus Eight into second place in the Japanese League.

Before arriving in north London, Wenger had already recommended signing two of his compatriots - Remi Garde and Patrick Vieira - this was the start of a number of French acquisitions.

Emmanuel Petit (Monaco) and Nicolas Anelka (Paris St Germain) followed, with Dutchman Marc Overmars adding to the foreign influx.

The French connection

With many English players forming the backbone the successful team in the 1980s and early 1990s, some were sceptical of the new signings.

In Wenger's first season, the sceptics were quietened, if not silenced, as Arsenal mounted a serious title challenge for the first time since 1991.

It's thumbs up for Wenger at Highbury

The doubters were cast aside in the following season, as Arsenal claimed both the Premiership crown and FA Cup.

Thierry Henry proved a sensational purchase and after France triumphed in the 1998 World Cup, Sylvain Wiltord and Robert Pires soon arrived.

Controversy overshadowed the beginning of the current season for Wenger as he was charged by the FA for "alleged threatening behaviour" to an official.

He was cleared of the charge but was found guilty of misconduct and fined £10,00 instead of a 12-match touchline ban.

Born in Strasbourg, Wenger started his amateur playing career with Mutzig in the French Third Division as a sweeper-defender.

Big in Japan

One of the more educated coaches in the business. He graduated in 1974 with a degree in economics from Strasbourg University.

He turned professional with Strasbourg in 1978 and won the French title a year after his debut.

In 1981, he obtained the manager's diploma in Paris and was made youth team coach at Strasbourg.

After a brief spell as assistant coach with Cannes, he was appointed coach of Nancy two years later, but suffered relegation in his opening season.

His reputation took off after being made manager at Monaco in 1987.

His success at the club began with the French Championship in 1988 and was offered jobs with the French national team and Bayern Munich in 1994.

He was sacked just weeks after commiting his future at the club, before his move to Japan in 1995.

His exploits in England then followed and despite reports of a move back to Japan, Wenger continues to try and overturn the dominance of rivals Manchester United.