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Wenger looks to Arsenal's future after celebrating 20-year anniversary

Reuters

London - Arsene Wenger insists he is more concerned with future success than reminiscing about past glories as the Arsenal manager's 20th anniversary celebrations reach a climax.

Wenger reaches two decades in charge of Arsenal on Saturday and the notable milestone has been toasted time and again over the last week.

Ahead of Arsenal's Premier League trip to Burnley on Sunday, club chairman Chips Keswick presented the Gunners boss with a crystal vase at his weekly press conference.

Wenger has guided Arsenal to three Premier League titles, including the 2003-04 'Invincibles' team that went through the entire league season without defeat, and has also won six FA Cups.

But, while Wenger is happy to acknowledge his long and successful spell with the north Londoners, the Frenchman prefers to keep the focus on his current squad as the team looks to extend its eight-match unbeaten run in all competitions.

"I think it is a privilege for me but I do not look back," Wenger said when asked for his favourite memory of the last 20 years.

"Maybe what people will keep is the 'Invincible' year, but for me the job of a manager is to do the maximum with what you have available and that is what I try to do.

"We are obsessed always by the next game and that is what we expect always: the perfect game in the next one. That is what we work for."

Wenger said the unwavering support of the Arsenal board had helped him establish his 20-year dynasty and admitted the game is now completely different to when he arrived.

Asked what had helped him most in the past two decades, he replied: "Certainly my resilience and passion and certainly the faith of the board, who stand by me.

"A lot has changed. The art of management has changed, the club has grown bigger, it is now a global club. Twenty years ago it wasn't as big, or as expensive.

"Football has become popular, it's become a world sport. Today when I go out onto the training pitch, I see people from China or Hong Kong.

"Everything has changed and the pressure has intensified too. But what hasn't changed is the solidarity inside the club. That's always stayed the same."

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