Arsene Wenger reaches milestone - 1,000th match in charge of Arsenal

That famous headline in a London newspaper welcomed the relatively unknown Arsene Wenger when he was appointed Arsenal manager in September 1996. Many players at the club had the same question on their lips when the Frenchman walked into the dressing room for the first time.

A little less than 18 years later, Wenger will take charge of his 1,000th game as Arsenal manager when his team plays at bitter rival Chelsea on Saturday. And despite the former Monaco coach inability to deliver a trophy since 2005, Wenger's achievements in North London and his influence on English football have been immense.

Not only has Wenger presided over glory days at the club — Arsenal won three Premier League and four FA Cup titles under Wenger, including the double in 1998 and 2002 — he also achieved sporting and financial stability at Arsenal.

The club's longest-serving manager is also widely credited for having radically changed the face of English football, bringing in new training methods and his famous broccoli diet while discouraging alcohol consumption. First regarded as something revolutionary, Wenger's attention to detail quickly became popular among his players.

Meanwhile, Arsenal will present long-serving boss Arsene Wenger with a special award to mark his 1,000th match in charge of the Gunners.

Wenger, who took over the club in August 1996, will reach that milestone at Stamford Bridge on Saturday but the club will present him with the award tomorrow at their London Colney training ground.

Full details of the presentation are being kept secret but the presentation is taking place during training as it was felt the Frenchman wouldn't want a fuss on the day of the game.

During his 18-year reign Wenger has won 572, drawn 235 and lost 192 of his 999 matches so far.

However, Wenger has never beaten Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, losing five and drawing five of the 10 matches against him.

Mourinho is still yet to lose a home League match as Chelsea boss, a mark that stands at 75 matches.

Arsenal do have a good record at Stamford Bridge, though, their tally of seven Premier League wins in west London is better than any other side.