1000, not out!

So tomorrow Arsene Wenger celebrates his 1000th game in charge of the Arsenal.  Whilst I cannot believe it has been 18 years, it's an exciting opportunity to have a look back over nearly two decades of top-class, first-rate, magical football.  There are far too many moments to make a definitive "best of" list, but here's five brilliant memories from the Wenger era that are bound to live long in the minds of all Gunners fans:

1.  Tony Adams scoring the fourth against Everton, Sunday 3 May 1998

Wenger's first full season in charge of Arsenal saw the Gunners win the League and FA Cup double.  But what stands out even more was the emphatic way they chased down Manchester United, brushing them aside and sealing the title with a 4-0 thumping of Everton.  Adams' late goal was the perfect way to sum up the season - and the perfect way to start a new era.

Tony Adams scored against Everton, May 1998 (source: Arsenal.com)

 2.  Bergkamp scores the greatest goal ever?  Saturday 2 March 2002

Hot on the trail of another league title, Arsenal made the long trip north to St. James' Park, home of Newcastle United. The Gunners won the match 2-0, but it will always be remembered for Dennis Bergkamp's absolute ingenuity.  In what the BBC described as "ballet dancer's grace", Bergkamp, with his back to goal, received the ball from Robert Pires, before flicking it backward past the right-hand-side of defender, Nikos Dabizas.  Bergkamp went around Dabizas's left, picking the ball up and slotting past Shay Given into the Newcastle goal.  Unbelievable football.

Berkamp dances through the Newcastle defence, March 2002 (Source: Daily Mail)

3.  Thierry Henry spearheads the destruction in the San Siro, Tuesday 25 November 2003

Two months earlier, Inter had come to Highbury and won 3-0.  In the return fixture, an injury-hit Arsenal squad did the unthinkable, and put five past the Italian giants in their own back yard.  Inspired by a breath-taking Henry display, the travelling fans were chanting "Five-one in the San Siro" long into the night.

Arsenal obliterate Inter Milan in the San Siro, November 2003 (Source: Arsenal.com)

4.  Sylvain Wiltord scores the winner at Old Trafford, Wednesday 8 May 2002

There can be no greater joy in the world of football than to win the League title at Old Trafford.  That's exactly what Arsenal did in May 2002, when Wiltord pounced on a save from United keeper Barthez, steering the ball home, to spark championship celebrations in the face of 60,000 Red Devils.

Sylvain Wiltord scores the Championship-winning goal at Old Trafford, May 2002 (Source: Daily Mail)

5.  49, 49 Undefeated.  May 2003-October 2004

On 7 May 2003, Arsenal thrashed Southampton 6-1.  Little did anyone know at the time, that this match would kick-start nearly a year-and-a-half of unbeatable football from the Gunners, which would see them waltz to the 2004 Premier League title.  A first in the modern era, Arsenal would best Preston North End's historic record of 18 wins, 4 draws, 0 losses, when they won the inaugural English football league competition in 1888-1889.  Arsenal's run extended to 16 October 2004, when Aston Villa were beaten 3-1, and eventually came to an end following a 2-0 defeat to Manchester United.

Arsenal fans celebrate their unbeaten run at Highbury (Source: Arsenal.com)

Congratulations Arsene Wenger on this fantastic footballing achievement!  And here's to another thousand!

Wenger roll of honour

Matches: 999
Wins: 572
Draws: 235
Losses: 192
Win ratio: 57.3% (compared to 56.4% in Alex Ferguson's first 1000 matches)
Goals scored: 1855
Top goal scorers:  Bergkamp (107), Van Persie (132), Henry (228)
Red cards: 100 (shared between 50 players)
Worst red card offenders: Martin Keown (7), Patrick Vieira (10)

Honours:

Premier League titles: 1998, 2002, 2004.  Runners-up in 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2005
FA Cup: 1998, 2002, 2003, 2005.  Runners-up in 2001
League Cup: Runners-up in 2007, 2011
UEFA Champions League: Qualification for 16 consecutive years.  Runners-up in 2006
UEFA Cup: Runner-up in 2000