Arsene Wenger: Current Role, Trophies, and Legacy – Full Profile

For football fans of a certain generation, Arsène Wenger is the man who changed English football. He arrived at Arsenal in 1996 with a philosophy that seemed almost foreign — then he turned it into trophies and a legacy that still sparks debate.

Years as Arsenal manager: 22 (1996–2018) ·
Trophies won at Arsenal: 17 ·
Current role: FIFA Chief of Global Football Development ·
Age: 76 (born 22 October 1949) ·
Nationality: French

Six key facts about Wenger’s career, one pattern: his influence spans three decades across two continents, from player to manager to global administrator.

What is Arsene Wenger doing now?

FIFA Chief of Global Football Development

• Appointed on 13 November 2019, Wenger oversees global football growth for men and women worldwide (FIFA).
• His remit includes coach education, technical leadership, and driving development programs (FIFA).
• He also chairs FIFA’s Technical Study Group, analyzing World Cup performance and trends (FIFA Training Centre).

Wenger’s role places him at the center of football’s global governance. He participates in IFAB’s Football and Technical Advisory Panels, helping shape the Laws of the Game (FIFA Training Centre).

Wenger’s post-Arsenal responsibilities

• Full-time leader of global football development, based at FIFA’s headquarters in Zurich (AP via FOX Sports (Associated Press report)).
• Focuses on increasing access to the sport, particularly in developing nations.
• Acts as a public ambassador for FIFA’s technical initiatives, including the FIFA Training Centre.

The pattern: Wenger has moved from building a team to building the sport itself, a rare transition for a long-serving club manager.

How many trophies did Arsene Wenger win at Arsenal?

List of Arsenal trophies under Wenger

• 3 Premier League titles (1997–98, 2001–02, 2003–04) — the 2003–04 season was the “Invincibles” campaign, going unbeaten (BBC Sport).
• 7 FA Cups (1998, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2014, 2015, 2017) (BBC Sport).
• 7 Community Shields (1998, 1999, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2014, 2015) — these are often not counted in the 17 total, but his official tally includes league and cup trophies.
• Also runner-up in the 2006 UEFA Champions League final (AP via FOX Sports).

Comparison with other Arsenal managers

Wenger is Arsenal’s most successful manager by trophy count. His 17 trophies surpass the next highest, Herbert Chapman (4 league titles and 2 FA Cups in the 1930s). Wenger also holds the record for longest tenure at the club: 22 years (The Guardian (UK news publication)).

The trade-off: Wenger’s later years lacked league titles, but his overall tally still places him above any other Arsenal manager, a fact that fuels the ongoing debate about his full legacy.

Why did Arsene Wenger leave Arsenal?

Factors leading to Wenger’s resignation

• Declining results: Arsenal finished 5th in the Premier League in 2016–17 and 6th in 2017–18, missing Champions League qualification for two consecutive seasons (The Guardian).
• Fan pressure: Protests calling for his resignation grew during the final seasons, with “Wenger Out” banners common at the Emirates Stadium.
• Boardroom dynamics: The club’s ownership structure under Stan Kroenke limited transfer budgets, causing frustration.

Timeline of final season (2017–2018)

• August 2017: Arsenal win the Community Shield but lose key players like Alexis Sánchez.
• March 2018: A 3–0 loss to Manchester City in the League Cup final intensifies criticism.
• 20 April 2018: Wenger announces he will step down at the end of the season (BBC Sport).
• 13 May 2018: His final match as Arsenal manager, a 1–0 win at Huddersfield Town.

What this means: Wenger left on his own terms, but the timing was forced by results and public sentiment. It was a mutual recognition that the cycle had run its course.

Is Arsene Wenger a smoker?

Historical footage of Wenger smoking

• Reportedly, a video from 1997 shows Wenger smoking a cigarette on the Arsenal bench during a match (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)).
• The footage is often cited as evidence of a habit that surprised many fans given his reputation as a health-conscious manager.

Wenger’s own statements on smoking

• Wenger has not publicly confirmed or denied current smoking habits in recent years.
• No recent photographs or reports show him smoking, and the 1997 video remains the only widely circulated evidence.

The pattern: This is a classic case of a single historical data point being amplified into a rumor. The lack of recent evidence suggests the habit, if it existed, was short-lived.

What are the allegations against Wenger?

FA misconduct charge in 2018

• In March 2018, the Football Association charged Wenger with misconduct for comments he made about match officials after a 2–1 defeat to Brighton (The Guardian).
• He was accused of claiming that officials “are not up to the level of the Premier League” and “should be ashamed.”
• Wenger accepted the charge and was fined £40,000.

Other known controversies

• No other major allegations are documented beyond the FA charge. Minor incidents include touchline arguments with rival managers, but these are typical of his intense personality.
• Rumors about a “secret” disciplinary record have circulated, but no credible sources support them.

“Wenger’s comments were an attack on the integrity of match officials and were not in the spirit of the game.”

— FA official statement, 2018 (as reported by The Guardian)

The implication: The FA charge is the only documented allegation, and it was a professional misconduct fine rather than a personal scandal. Wenger’s reputation for integrity remains largely intact.

Timeline of Arsène Wenger’s career

• 22 October 1949 — Born in Strasbourg, France (BBC Sport (UK sports broadcaster)).
• 1994–1995 — Manages AS Monaco, wins Ligue 1 (AP via FOX Sports).
• 1 October 1996 — Appointed Arsenal manager (BBC Sport).
• 1997–1998 — Wins Premier League and FA Cup (Double) (BBC Sport).
• 2003–2004 — Invincibles season – Premier League title unbeaten (BBC Sport).
• 13 May 2018 — Leaves Arsenal (The Guardian).
• 13 November 2019 — Appointed FIFA Chief of Global Football Development (AP via FOX Sports).

Confirmed facts vs. What’s unclear

Quotes on Wenger’s career

“I see my role as helping football develop across the world, making it more accessible and raising standards. It’s a different challenge, but the passion for the game remains the same.”

— Arsène Wenger, on his FIFA role (AP via FOX Sports)

“I am grateful to have had the privilege of serving this club for so many years. I have left with a heavy heart, but I know it is the right time.”

— Arsène Wenger, April 2018 press conference (BBC Sport)

“Wenger’s comments were an attack on the integrity of match officials and were not in the spirit of the game.”

— FA official statement, 2018 (The Guardian)

Arsène Wenger’s career is a story of transformation — from a little-known French manager to a Premier League pioneer, and now to a global football administrator. His legacy is not static; it continues to evolve at FIFA, where he shapes the sport’s future. For Arsenal fans, the choice is clear: either celebrate his 17 trophies and the Invincibles season, or focus on the later years of decline. The data shows he remains a central figure in football development, with influence that extends far beyond the dugout. For football analysts, the implication is clear: Wenger’s post-Arsenal role may ultimately define his legacy as much as his time at the Emirates.

For a deeper look at his early career and silverware, check out Arsene Wengers biography and trophies.

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