Martin O’Neill reveals how ‘incredibly arrogant’ Arsene Wenger left him fuming after Arsenal encounter

Add as preferred source on Google

Ex-Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill has now revealed that he is not the biggest admirer of former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger. 

Arsene Wenger was in charge of Arsenal from 1996 until 2018, and remains the most successful manager in the North London club’s history.

An Arsenal legend, the Frenchman transformed the club from top to bottom and also fuelled the move from Highbury to the Emirates Stadium during his tenure. On top of that, he was also able to deliver three Premier League titles and seven FA Cup triumphs.

However, it would seem that the 74-year-old was not a universally popular figure in English football, as Martin O’Neill has now attested.

• READ MORE: All Arsenal legends in the Premier League Hall of Fame from Henry to Wenger

Martin O’Neill recalls clash with Arsenal icon Arsene Wenger

Speaking on talkSPORT, O’Neill reflected upon an incident that occurred between himself and Wenger when he was in charge of Aston Villa.

The Northern Irishman said: “Arsene? Annoy me? Absolutely. In every way, just in every way… He was incredibly arrogant. Brilliant manager… It was mutual as well. He wasn’t that happy with me as well.

“There was a particular game at Aston Villa, where we drew 0-0 against Arsenal… The game could’ve been four each, it could’ve easily been four each. At Villa we had a really good attacking side.

“I didn’t realise that Arsene had already been in the press conference, and I’d gone and said ‘really, really good game’… And they said, ‘that’s not how Arsene saw it. He said your team never tried to score a goal.’

“So, I caught him as he was on his way out to the bus and said ‘what’re you on about?’ He dropped me a little line a couple of days later, believe it or not, I’m thinking he’s going to apologise for his comment. No, he was just saying how rude I was!”

Mikel Arteta maintaining Arsenal tradition

Mikel Arteta has taken up Wenger’s mantle as a troublemaker and Premier League agitator in recent years. 

The Spanish coach is an exuberant and outspoken presence, particularly on the touchline. Arteta has come under fire for his antics in the past, but his players clearly connect with his methods and  appreciate them.

Of course, Arteta played under Wenger himself in his time as an Arsenal midfielder, and the former manager’s style will certainly have influenced his own.