Arsene Wenger was renowned for his impressive man-management skills in his time at Arsenal.
The Frenchman’s calm and composed demeanour fed into how he interacted with his players, with many of the legendary manager’s former squad members expressing how popular a figure he was amongst their respective dressing rooms.
In the penultimate years of Wenger’s reign, this was arguably exacerbated, as media scrutiny increased and the Arsenal boss ardently defended his players.
Mesut Ozil is known to have had a close relationship with Wenger, while several others who spent time under his tutelage have been known to have forged a strong bond with the footballing father figure.
Jack Wilshere once revealed what Danny Welbeck used to say about the midfielder’s relationship with Arsene Wenger
Jack Wilshere developed through Arsenal’s academy, before making 197 appearances across ten seasons for the first team.
Injuries plagued the talented midfield and ultimately forced him into a premature retirement at the age of 30.
Wenger loaned Wilshere to Bournemouth to try and resurrect the Englishman’s career a few years before he hung up his boots, but the move ultimately didn’t work.
This loan was an example of how Wenger was constantly looking out for the man who he’d helped nurture and develop.
Asked who the teacher’s pet at Arsenal was in an interview for Soccer AM back in 2018, Wilshere explained that Danny Welbeck would suggest it was the Hale End graduate himself.
“If Danny [Welbeck] was sat here he’d say me,” Wilshere said.
“He always says that the boss is my dad.”
Asked whether being a teacher’s pet was a negative thing, Wilshere responded: “No, of course not. I’ve got a great relationship with the boss here.
“I’ve known him since I was 16. We have a good relationship, we talk most days but I’m not the teacher’s pet.”
Jack Wilshere claims Calum Chambers was Arsene Wenger’s teacher’s pet
While Welbeck believed that Wilshere was the teacher’s pet in the Arsenal squad back in the 2017/18 season, the midfielder believed it was actually another British member of that ensemble.
“I’d say Calum [Chambers] – he’s a good lad, never really does anything controversial,” he claimed.
“He’s straight batter, sticks to what he does best. Defends, wins the ball back, does what the boss says.”
Calum Chambers left Arsenal in January 2022, having made just 39 appearances in his last four years at the Emirates.
The defender joined Aston Villa, but quickly became surplus to requirements at Villa Park, playing just five times in his final campaign in the West Midlands.
He’s now enjoying a career resurrection at Cardiff City in the Championship, making 30 appearances for the Bluebirds in the English second division.
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