Wenger awarded premier French honour

Arsenal FC's French manager Arsène Wenger has been awarded his country's premier civil medal, the Legion d'Honneur, after guiding the London club to a second English 'double' in four seasons.

Eminent service
Dating back to 1802, the Legion d'Honneur was established by Napoleon Bonaparte and was traditionally awarded for gallantry in the course of action. In more recent times, however, people have been honoured for 20 years' eminent service in civilian work which enhances the standing of France.

Thoughtful approach
Wenger was a virtual unknown in England when he arrived at Highbury in September 1996 but wasted little time in reviving the fortunes of Arsenal with a thoughtful, measured approach to football honed in his homeland and Japan.

Houllier honour
Arsenal won both the FA Premiership and FA Cup in the 1997/98 season, a feat they repeated in style last term. Wenger, a graduate in Economics from Strasbourg University, is the second English-based manager to receive the award after it was bestowed upon Liverpool FC's Gérard Houllier in April.