“A fabulous sports book that must be essential reading for Gooners everywhere”

I would be first to admit that I was among the head-scratchers when Arsène Wenger was unveiled as Arsenal manager in October 1996, wondering why the glorious Gunners had turned to the Japanese league to find their next leader.

It would seem that I was not the only one as even some of those already playing at Highbury in Arsenal’s team were questioning the credentials of their new boss and unusual methods, asking “Arsène who?”

While the football media were believing that the Gunners had shot themselves in the foot with this appointment, there was much humble pie to be served out a couple of years later when Arsenal were transformed into Double winners and their French manager’s methods were hailed as the most innovative in the sport and heralded a modernising of tactics and beyond.

Journalist Ryan Baldi has taken a deep dive into the title-winning team which were labelled ‘The Invincibles’ after staying unbeaten for a whole season. In the process he has conducted over 150 interviews with key players, coaches, staff members and opponents, to get the inside story on how Wenger took Arsenal to the top of English football and changed the game forever.

This is a well-researched book and balances details about what made Wenger such a game-changer with hilarious anecdotes from behind the closed doors of the training ground.

At just over 300 pages there is enough detail to satisfy football fans and the curious but it also reads incredibly well and zips along as you get caught up in the cut and thrust of the season.

Arsène who? is a fabulous sports book and must be essential reading for Gooners everywhere as well as their rivals who want to see what it took to be the best and stay at the top of their game for so long.