Arsene Wenger managed some legendary players during his time at Arsenal, and most were fond of his style of coaching.
Wenger’s 22-year reign at Arsenal saw some major success and truly world-class players on display at Highbury Stadium and The Emirates, and the likes of Patrick Vieira and Thierry Henry are still revered to this day.
A lot of top-class players did depart under Wenger: Cesc Fabregas joined Barcelona then Chelsea, Robin van Persie joined Manchester United and Ashley Cole joined Chelsea, with plenty of examples of stars joining rivals.
One legend who ended up retiring at the club was Dennis Bergkamp, and the Dutchman is regarded as one of, if not the greatest player in Arsenal’s history.
However, one stat about Wenger’s management of Bergkamp emerged, and even Thierry Henry was shocked that the legendary midfielder led the way in a surprise area.
Arsene Wenger substituted Dennis Bergkamp off more than any Arsenal player
In October 2020, Wenger sat down with Henry to discuss their time at Arsenal, and Henry tested Wenger’s knowledge of his own team, questioning which player was substituted the most times under his management.
Wenger’s first guess was Theo Walcott, but it was then revealed that Dennis Bergkamp had been substituted more than any other player in his reign at the club.
“I’m ready to be crucified for that, wow!” Wenger stated in response.
“I was surprised myself when I saw that, 140 times,” Henry then pointed out.
“That can be a positive as well,” Wenger claimed.
“Because the game was won already!” Henry replied.
Why Arsene Wenger subbed Dennis Bergkamp more than anyone else
As Wenger and Henry pointed out, Bergkamp’s increased substitutions were perhaps as a result of the game already being won thanks to his brilliance, and the manager resting him for the next game.
It may also be as a result of when he played for Arsenal. Bergkamp joined Arsenal when he was 26, and retired when he was 37 in 2006, meaning that he spent his latter years at the club.
When compared with the likes of Henry and Vieira, the Frenchmen were at the club in younger periods of their career, at peak fitness levels. This meant they were less inclined to get subbed during their time at Arsenal, compared to in the later years of their career.
Bergkamp’s brilliance lasted all the way until his final season, but in his last few years of playing, he had to be managed more carefully, and this explains why he was chosen to make way more often than anyone else Wenger had ever coached.
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