Arsene Wenger (Picture: Getty)
Arsene Wenger (Picture: Getty)

Tony Adams has revealed Arsene Wenger gave up coaching his players before he even arrived at Arsenal in 1996.

The Arsenal manager has enjoyed 20 trophy-laden years at the Emirates and is the club’s most successful boss in their history.

Adams played under Wenger in his early years, winning the Premier League twice with the Frenchman.

But the Englishman has revealed Wenger lost his commitment to coaching players one-to-one after spending so much time on one defender at Monaco, Lilian Thurman.

‘Arsene, essentially, is not a coach,’ Adams told the Guardian.

(Picture: Getty)

‘When Arsene first got here he spoke about Lilian Thuram.

‘He had him at Monaco and Thuram was making mistakes and costing him game after game.

‘But Arsene worked with him and coached and trained him.

Wenger's record at Arsenal

3 x FA Premier League (1998, 2002, ’04)
7 x FA Cup (1998, 2002, ’03, ’05, ’14, ’15, ’17)
6 x FA Community Shield (1998, 1999, 2002, ’04, ’14, ’15)

‘Eventually they sold him for a lot of money, he became a French international and the rest is history.

‘But Arsene said: ‘I’ll never do that at Arsenal. I can’t afford these players to cost me anymore.’

Wenger was manager at Monaco until 1994 and after a stint in China he became the boss at Arsenal.

Adams’ public questioning of Wenger has strained their once strong relationship, according to Adams.

(Picture: Getty)

He suggested Wenger is struggling to let go of the club and is doing it harm as a result.

Wenger is expected to sign a new two-year deal and stay on as manager despite calls from large sections of fans and former players for him to step aside.

(Picture: Getty)
(Picture: Getty)

Arsenal managed to end a dismal season on a high when they beat Chelsea in the FA Cup final and Adams thinks it would be a good time for Wenger to walk away.

‘I was delighted for him on Saturday,’ he said.

‘I’ve never seen him so animated. He was doing a lot of waving after the game.

(Picture: Getty)

‘I don’t know what that means. He’s the greatest Arsenal manager ever so it would be sad if that was spoilt.

‘Arsenal are not in the Champions League next season. I don’t think they’re going to be anywhere near the title.

‘They’ve just had a fantastic FA Cup win after an amazing 20 years. I hope he calls it a day.’

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