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The 9 most surprising stats about Wenger’s Arsenal reign

With Arsene Wenger signing a new two-year deal with Arsenal, it can be pretty satisfying to look back at his statistics from his 21-year (and counting) reign.

While many like to regurgitate the same stats about not winning the Premier League for 13 years and getting beaten by Jose Mourinho at (almost) every opportunity, they forget the other amazing and often surprising things that Wenger has accomplished while in charge of Arsenal.

For example, the fact that he’s the most successful manager in the history of the FA Cup – a competition the Frenchman is often accused of disrespecting.

Or that he managed to lead a team unbeaten in the league in order to win the title.

Here are nine surprising facts that you may or may not already know about Wenger [via the Mirror].

Wenger’s win percentage hasn’t changed

wenger lifting trophy
LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 27: Arsene Wenger, Manager of Arsenal lifts the FA Cup Trophy after The Emirates FA Cup Final between Arsenal and Chelsea at Wembley Stadium on May 27, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

At least, not by a lot. Back in 1996/97 – 2005/06, when the boss was seen as his most successful, his win ratio was 57.6%.

From 2006/07 – present day, which is widely seen as Le Professeur’s ‘unsuccessful’ period, his win ratio has been 57.5%.

Goals scored has increased

Thierry Henry
Madrid, SPAIN: Arsenal’s Frenchman Thierry Henry (front) and Alexander Hleb celebrate after Henry’s goal during their Champions League football match between Real Madrid and Arsenal at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, 21 February 2006. (CARMELO RUBIO/AFP/Getty Images)

That’s right. Even without the likes of Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp, Arsenal now score an average of 2.88 goals per game compared to Wenger’s first decade in charge, where they scored 1.81.

Arsenal have finished second six times

arsene wenger smiling
Arsenal’s French manager Arsene Wenger smiles ahead of the English Premier League football match between Southampton and Arsenal at St Mary’s Stadium in Southampton, southern England on May 10, 2017 (ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images)

Just as many as they’ve finished fourth.

Wenger has taken charge of three times as many Premier League matches as any other non-British/Irish manager

wenger swansea
SWANSEA, WALES – JANUARY 14: Arsene Wenger, Manager of Arsenal arrives at the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Swansea City and Arsenal at Liberty Stadium on January 14, 2017 in Swansea, Wales. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

790.

Arsenal’s defensive record is better at the Emirates

Marc Overmars
10 Jan 1998: Marc Overmars of Arsenal celebrates a goal during the FA Carling Premiership match against Leeds United at Highbury in London. Arsenal won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Shaun Botterill /Allsport

The Gunners concede 0.78 goals per game on average. At Highbury, it was 0.82.

Arsenal have still played more Champions League matches than League and FA Cup clashes

arsenal v bayern munich1
Arsenal’s French striker Olivier Giroud (L) reacts by Bayern Munich’s Spanish midfielder Javier Martinez during the UEFA Champions League last 16 second leg football match between Arsenal and Bayern Munich at The Emirates Stadium in London on March 7, 2017. (BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images)

Under Wenger, Arsenal have played 177 Champions League games, and 175 League and FA Cup clashes combined.

Theo Walcott has scored 104 goals

Theo Walcott
Arsenal’s English midfielder Theo Walcott celebrates after scoring during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Stoke City at the Emirates Stadium in London on December 10, 2016. (GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images)

That’s two more than Bergkamp scored under Wenger.

Wenger will have been in charge of more games than Sir Alex Ferguson next season

sir alex ferguson
LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 21: Sir Alex Ferguson looks on during The Emirates FA Cup Final match between Manchester United and Crystal Palace at Wembley Stadium on May 21, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images)

The boss is set to creep past Fergie’s tally of 810 games in charge on the 21st day of next season.

11/16 of Arsenal’s trophies under Wenger were won during his first decade

wenger fa cup 2017
Arsenal’s French manager Arsene Wenger smiles as he holds the FA Cup trophy after their win over Chelsea in the English FA Cup final football match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Wembley stadium in London on May 27, 2017. (ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images)

69%.

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