ARSENAL WENGER is celebrating 20 years as Arsenal manager this week.
The Frenchman has arguably made a bigger dramatic impact on the Gunners than anyone else in the history of the club.
During his two decades at Highbury and the Emirates Stadium he has built a succession of top teams and managed a series of international stars.
SunSport has taken a look at all the players who have played for Arsenal under Wenger to produce his Dream Team Fantasy XI…
Goalkeeper
Petr Cech may have been one of the best goalkeepers in the world at the peak of his career, but his time at Arsenal has come when he is not the force of old.
Jens Lehmann could always be relied upon and there is no doubt he was a top international class keeper – but in truth there is only one stand-out contender.
David Seaman was right up there among the best in the business during his time with Arsenal, making vital saves at crucial moments in big matches.
His shot-stopping ability, decision making and presence in the dressing room makes him the obvious choice.
Right-back
On arriving at Highbury, Wenger discovered Lee Dixon at his disposal and helped extend the career of a full-back who had seemed fairly limited until then.
Dixon’s game evolved as he learnt from his manager and was an integral part of the fabled back four the Gunners remember fondly.
Cameroon star Lauren was not seen as a defender when he first arrived in north London, but once given an opportunity at right-back he flourished and his role in the Invincibles side was crucial.
Hector Bellerin is clearly destined for an excellent career if he continues to build on the fine promise he has shown over the past two years.
But though he has not gone down in Arsenal folklore, our choice is Bacary Sagna for his overall ability and consistency.
Sagna combined pace, power, skill and strong mentality, and just shades it from Dixon.
Centre-backs
Even Wenger was surprised just how good Tony Adams, Steve Bould and Martin Keown were.
They were a trio moulded in the old way, defenders who were tough, intimidating and who took no prisoners.
Adams shone despite the turmoil of his private life, a leader of men who would take the battle to anyone.
Yet though all three are formidable defenders, this team is not about legendary status or status with the fans – it is about who has been the best there is.
So, with a huge nod to the role they all played – Adams in particular – it is Sol Campbell and Laurent Koscielny who make the side.
Campbell was simply immense for Arsenal, a giant of a player who was operating at world class level throughout his Gunners career.
Athleticism, strength, astute mind and sheer will to win, Campbell had the lot – and he wasn’t bad on the ball either.
Koscielny ahead of Adams may be a surprise to some, but the Frenchman is one of the best defenders playing in world football right now.
He is a massive influence on the side, reads the game so well and is the complete centre-back, even allowing for his relative lack of size.
A pairing of Campbell and Koscielny would grace any side in the world.
Left back
Only two genuine contenders for this spot – Nigel Winterburn and Ashley Cole.
Winterburn was an example of consistency and tenacity with a fine defensive brain.
But Cole became the best left-back in the world during his Arsenal career, a player who because of off-field publicity perhaps isn’t given the status he deserves.
Cole is a shoe-in.
Midfield
Plenty of contenders when you consider the talent that has played in this area, but in truth a fairly easy selection.
Notable cases for inclusion come from Ray Parlour, Gilberto Silva, Santi Cazorla and Mesut Ozil.
But this is a fight for three places between five players – Patrick Vieira, Emmanuel Petit, Marc Overmars, Freddie Ljungberg and Robert Pires.
All five were world class, and huge performers for Arsenal.
We have to settle on three, though, and the obvious two first choices are Vieira and Petit who were such a formidable force at club and international level. Skillful, powerful, exciting and steely, they are among the best players ever to play in the Premier League.
And the final place goes to Pires, who just edges it from Overmars and Ljungberg on the basis he had a magic quality to his game.
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Forwards
With the greatest respect to Jeremie Aliadiere, Francis Jeffers and Nicklas Bendtner, the three forward roles essentially pick themselves.
Thierry Henry – the greatest goalscorer the club has ever seen, combined electric pace, arrogance, skill and finishing in one awesome package.
Ian Wright, who until Henry eclipsed him was Arsenal’s previous record goalscorer. Lethal, prickly, influential and a real character in the early Wenger sides.
Dennis Bergkamp – quite simply a Rolls Royce of a footballer, with sublime touch, vision, class and no shortage of needle.
The Arsene Wenger Dream Team Arsenal XI
David Seaman, Bacary Sagna, Sol Campbell, Laurent Koscielny, Ashley Cole, Patrick Vieira, Emmanuel Petit, Robert Pires, Ian Wright, Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp
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