Considered the greatest coach in Arsenal's history, Arsène Wenger has never managed to offer the slightest European Cup to the London club, having to settle for a Champions League final in 2006 and another in the UEFA Cup in 2000. Mikel Arteta can therefore always hope to do better than his mentor.
Thanks to their 3-0 victory acquired at the Emirates Stadium on the outward journey, the Gunners are indeed in the process of eliminating Real Madrid and winning their ticket for the last square in the Champions League. The confrontation between Arsenal and Real Madrid also has an inevitably special flavor for Arsène Wenger.
Because if the Alsatian technician is associated forever with the Gunners, Real Madrid has long been his heart club.
“When I was a child, Real Madrid was my team,” He had entrusted EFE four years ago, adding: “I grew up watching (Alfredo) di Stefano, (Ferenc) Puskas, (Raymond) Kopa, Santamaria, (Paco) Gento … They impressed me. I liked Real Madrid and, over time, I found myself in front of them. »»
Arsène Wenger, the immense pride
And several times, the one who is now director of world football development within FIFA could have signed on the Real Madrid bench during his career.
“I almost went to Real Madrid twice. Few people can say that, had he revealed. But I was involved in a new stadium building project that would replace Highbury and we had to finance it. We have paid everything ourselves. No one helped us. We paid it on the field and selling players at a high price and buying them at low prices. This is why I did not go to Real Madrid. I wanted to finish this project. »»
“I rejected some of the best teams in Europe and now I am quite proud because I have shown commitment, loyalty and that I can arrive at the end of a project, had he continued. I did not look for immediate glory, I looked for something deeper. In life, you can only do what you think is fair. He's my character. »»
