Just finished up Arsene Wenger's autobiography. Anyone else read it? Anyway, my thoughts:
Pros
Unlike some other footie autobiographies, I do feel like Wenger lets you get to know him. I found his upbringing very interesting and slightly sad. For those who don't know, he was born in a small French village that it's own inhabitants never have the ambition to leave. He realizes early on that his dreams in football stretch far beyond it, and unlike all the others, left. He even leaves his own family behind to pursue his dreams in the game, so you understand how his ambition drove him from very early on. He was also way, way ahead of his time. He was using technology to assess players in the late 70's and early 80's, as well as embracing sports science and nutrition before pretty much anyone else was. Wenger also comes across as a pretty tortured individual, all stemming from his absolute obsession with football. He opens up wounds, talking of how he was never there for his daughter, wasn't there for his wife; they later divorce he says, left his family behind and all because of his addiction to football.
Cons
What massively lets this book down is Wenger's bias over it. He also comes across as a bit self congratulatory at times. For example, when talking about some of his 'great signings/players' at Arsenal he lists Fabianski, Gibbs, Cygan and Senderos!!! No joke. I also imagine some big Arsenal fans will be disappointed how certain seasons are just omitted from the book. He sums up the 97/98 double winning campaign in just a few pages, then doesn't really talk about the team's failures in the next 3 seasons. He just cracks straight onto 01/02, mentions 02/03 for a minute and then dedicates a whole chapter to The Invincibles. I like open and honest autobiographies, where the manager or player talks willingly about the failures they've experienced and the mistakes they've made. On that note, I was really disappointed that he doesn't bother addressing the decline of his Arsenal team's. Why was he unable to compete for the title for over 10 years?? Why were his teams so easy to play against? Why didn't he ever address his team's weaknesses for years and years and years?? We will never know because Wenger just doesn't even go there. I also found it a bit petty that he doesn't even mention Jose Mourinho's name ONCE in the ENTIRE book. That gives you the kind of idea of Wenger's bias with this. I get it's his autobiography, but I was looking forward to hearing what his real thoughts were on some of the above.
Is it worth buying? Yeah, i'd say so. You do get to know Wenger, what drove him, the sacrifices he made and his genius. Disappointing he omits so many parts of his career, unsurprisingly they're all things that Wenger came off worse from.
3 out of 5 stars.
Wenger Book Review
posted on 4/12/20
comment by HoughOffEnd-er (U22510)
posted 38 seconds ago
comment by 16Bit (U3448)
posted 15 minutes ago
I have to say its the most dullest of any autobiography I have read. I suppose I had high expectations much as in the mould of Fergie's, or the likes of Alan Brazil's in that there would be some salacious talk or behind the scenes of the machincations of the Arsenal board, and other great moments of the Wenger era. But it is all too objective, noncontroversial and propped up by the league tables. TBH - I should not be surprised; Wenger is a loyal man and has integrity. Nothing of any note, I stopped reading about 75% through and am now reading Alan Davis's autobiography.
I admire Wenger and what he achieved for our club - but I would rate the book 1/5. Sorry.
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Fergie's autobiography is one of the worst i've read. I know he has two, but I refer to the 2013 one. There are so many factually incorrect stats and records in it, I was borderline shocked.
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I really enjoyed his one that covered up to the year 2000. It may be very much bias towards himself at times but there was a huge amount of interesting and entertaining stuff in there too
posted on 4/12/20
comment by HoughOffEnd-er (U22510)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by Scruttocks (U19684)
posted 4 minutes ago
It was very very thin on detail, probably the most easily forgettable biography I've ever read in fact. It's a real shame as it's something I'd been looking forward to for years (before he'd even started writing it, just as a general idea).
For me the highlight was probably his very brief section on his time Japan. The attitude of local players who were actually over-motivated and were causing themselves trouble by working too hard.
I'm sure he has so many fascinating insights, sadly that book gave next to none...
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I think there's a lot of content in it that's very interesting. The Japan stuff too, but when you consider how he was approaching the game in the 70's and 80's you understand how innovative he was.
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There's a few decent books on football tactics throughout the years. I think you're giving Wenger a bit more solo credit for what was a general trend among several managers. I do agree it's something he really embraced and progressed but it wasn't as unique as perhaps you may think having read the book.
Even someone like Sam Allardyce was well ahead of most managers when it came to how he used statistics, health and technology within management. There are many other examples but Big Sam probably gives the simplest example of how managers that don't seem revolutionary at all were doing similar things to Wenger.
posted on 4/12/20
comment by Scruttocks (U19684)
posted 15 minutes ago
comment by HoughOffEnd-er (U22510)
posted 38 seconds ago
comment by 16Bit (U3448)
posted 15 minutes ago
I have to say its the most dullest of any autobiography I have read. I suppose I had high expectations much as in the mould of Fergie's, or the likes of Alan Brazil's in that there would be some salacious talk or behind the scenes of the machincations of the Arsenal board, and other great moments of the Wenger era. But it is all too objective, noncontroversial and propped up by the league tables. TBH - I should not be surprised; Wenger is a loyal man and has integrity. Nothing of any note, I stopped reading about 75% through and am now reading Alan Davis's autobiography.
I admire Wenger and what he achieved for our club - but I would rate the book 1/5. Sorry.
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Fergie's autobiography is one of the worst i've read. I know he has two, but I refer to the 2013 one. There are so many factually incorrect stats and records in it, I was borderline shocked.
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I really enjoyed his one that covered up to the year 2000. It may be very much bias towards himself at times but there was a huge amount of interesting and entertaining stuff in there too
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Never read it, i'll probably pick up a copy though.
posted on 4/12/20
comment by £350k Förtnite Skin (U18355)
posted 49 minutes ago
Hi Culer
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God he's not back is he?
posted on 4/12/20
Wenger is a Disgrace and a loser and Jose was right all alone about him.
posted on 4/12/20
comment by Irishred (U2539)
posted 4 hours, 12 minutes ago
comment by £350k Förtnite Skin (U18355)
posted 49 minutes ago
Hi Culer
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God he's not back is he?
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The OP is Culer. Been saying hi to him for weeks and he keeps ghosting me
posted on 4/12/20
Why would he mention Mourinho?
Wenger is dignified and doesnt really slag anyone off. otherwise their might have been a chapter lifting the lid on the Kroenke's etc.
Quite straight laced and more of a list of acheivements than an autobiography.
I read SAF,s book and laughed when he said that Roy Keane could start a fight in a empty house.
That read was more entertaining
posted on 6/12/20
Arsene Wenger reads the audiobook on Audible.
posted on 6/12/20
That is shame that he does not try and explain arsenals slump after the move to the emirates! There is enough anecdotal material in interviews and articles to get a feel for wenger’s early life and experiences pre Arsenal/ stadium move so I won’t be bothering with this.
posted on 6/12/20
comment by (U21781)
posted 19 minutes ago
That is shame that he does not try and explain arsenals slump after the move to the emirates! There is enough anecdotal material in interviews and articles to get a feel for wenger’s early life and experiences pre Arsenal/ stadium move so I won’t be bothering with this.
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He does essentially explain it though. Basically, there wasn't enough money, they planned in advance but it was all fecked by the GFC as they hedged their bets in part on selling housing developments