The Gunners will be hoping to bounce back from their disappointing 2-0 loss to Dortmund when Le Prof leads the London side for his 1,022nd game

London side Arsenal's UEFA Champions League encounter with Turkish giants Galatasaray, this Wednesday, will be a very special moment for the club's long-serving manager, Arsene Wenger.

The 64-year-old boss will lead his side out of the dugout for the 1,022th time in the Emirates Stadium encounter, as today spells 18 years since Wenger took over at the helms of the north London club. A relative unknown, tabloids read “Arsene Who?” upon his appointment. Fast-forward to present time, and Le Prof has forever etched into the history books as one of the greatest English Premier League managers.

Arsene Wenger, signed as Arsenal coach in 1996, was a relative unknown, but became the first foreign manager to win the EPL

Arsene Wenger, Arsenal, Galatasaray,UEFA Champions League 

However, Wenger, known for being strong with his beliefs, morals, and a tad stubborn, will have his mind focused on the game at hand. Le Prof is fully aware that his side are in dire need of a win when Galatasaray pull up in London. Arsenal's opening day match, away to Borussia Dortmund, saw them easily defeated 2-0 at the Signal Iduna Park, and a second consecutive defeat would make progression into the round of 16 complicated.

Plus, Wenger will not want to mark his 18th year anniversary as Arsenal boss in the same manner as his 1000th game in charge.

Here, we take a look at key Wenger stats, as the former Monaco coach reached a remarkable 216th month in charge.

Arsene Wenger, 18 years, Arsenal, Galatasaray, UEFA Champions League

  • During Arsene Wenger's tenure at Arsenal, 43 English Premier League clubs have gone through a whopping 207 managers. Whilst many Gooners call for the Frenchman's sacking, he offers the stability that many rivals envy.

207 managers have come and gone, but Wenger remains (pic via Sporting Intelligence)

Arsene Wenger, Arsenal. Galatasaray, UEFA Champions League, English Premier League

  • Since October 1, 1996, an impressive 100 players have netted for the Gunners, with English striker Danny Welbeck being the latest Arsenal star to get on the scoreline (Ian Wright being the first). Given new signing Calum Chambers is yet to score his first goal for the club, that number could go to 101. The FA Cup holders have scored 1,880 goals under Wenger's reign, amassing to 1.84 per game.

Danny Welbeck became the 100th Arsenal player tp score a goal under Arsene Wenger in the 3-0 win over Aston Villa

Danny Welbeck, Mesut Ozil, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Arsenal, Aston Villa, English Premeir League

  • Over his 18 years at Highbury, then the Emirates, Le Prof has won 46% of his Champions League games, guiding the north London side to 154 matches, recording 54 wins, 38 draws, and 45 losses. 

     

Image via Sky Sport News

Arsene Wenger, Arsenal, Galatasaray, UEFA Champions League

  • The French boss' overall winning percentage stands at 54, however.
  • Out of his 1021 games in charge, Wenger has won 504 of them, more than the number of times he has lost or drawn combined, which stand at 201 and 230, respectively.
  • The 64-year-old manager has recorded 1,353 points in the English Premier League, a feat second best only to Sir Alex Ferguson's tally (1,752).

Arsene Wenger, Sir Alex Ferguson, Arsenal, Manchester United, English Premier League

Follow the game on-the-go

Download our iOS and Android apps to follow on-the-go. It comes packed with features - live scores, fixtures, results, tables, line-ups, stats, TV schedule and much more! Sorry, no live streaming within the app.

Live Soccer TV App for iOS Live Soccer TV App for Android