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

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

Former Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill has now revealed he is not the biggest fan 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 pushed for the move from Highbury to the Emirates Stadium during his tenure. In addition to this, he was also able to deliver three Premier League titles and seven FA Cup triumphs.

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

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger (3rd L) and Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill (2nd R) exchange words during an English Premiership soccer match at Villa...
Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images

Martin O’Neill recalls clashing with Arsenal icon Arsene Wenger

Speaking to talkSPORT, O’Neill reflected on an incident that happened between him and Wenger when he was in charge of Aston Villa.

The Northern Irishman said: “Arseni? Does it annoy me? Absolutely. In every way, in every way… He was incredibly arrogant. A brilliant manager… It was also mutual. He wasn’t that happy with me either.

“There was one particular game at Aston Villa where we drew 0-0 against Arsenal… The game could have been four apiece, it could easily have been four apiece. At Villa we had a very good attacking team .

“I didn’t realize that Arsene had already been in the press conference, and I had gone and said ‘very, very good game’… And they said: ‘Arsene didn’t see it that way. He said that the your team never tried to score a goal.

“So I grabbed him on the bus and said, ‘What are you doing?’ He dropped me a little line a couple of days later, believe it or not, I think he’s going to apologize for his comment. No, he was just saying how rude he was!”

Mikel Arteta maintaining the Arsenal tradition

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

The Spanish coach is an exuberant and open presence, especially on the touchline. Arteta has been criticized 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 no doubt have influenced his own.

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