Ian Wright, an acrobatic star, recalls a situation he was certain would bring the end of his day at the Gunners.
In 1996, Arsene Wenger revolutionized the English game by introducing a level of professionalism recently unheard of on this continent.
With the Frenchman introducing a new lifestyle to the pub, diets were monitored, liquor was banned, and training was revolutionized.
These modifications worked, as the Gunners enjoyed one of the best times in the team's history during the first quarter of Wenger's tenure.
Some of the club's more experienced players, who occasionally struggled to follow the new manager's strict standards in what turned out to be a major culture shock, were n't always happy with the situation.
Ian Wright is one such example of a case that comes to mind when he and Wenger were caught rollerblading down the classic Marble Halls at the team's past Highbury Stadium and "knowing it was over."
" Yeah, he did – this is one of my greatest moments", Wright told Gary Neville on Sky Bet's The Overlap.
When I realized Wenger was done with me, I knew. It was the year before we won the Premier League, and I remember I'd really gotten into the rollerblades. At Arsenal, there was a little where we used to park our cars that was easy. I went that an hour sooner than I usually would have to be so I could practice some rollerblading there.
" I thought I did n't need to take them off, I'd just take them to Vic]Akers, Arsenal kit man ] to hide them. No one has ever done that, despite my initial conceit of going through the Marble Halls.
" I opened the door, and as I skated through, Arsène Wenger came past looking at me. As he was going beyond, he said' Ian, this is not suitable'. He was scarlet – I've never seen him upset. I did n't even think for one second it was irresponsible, it was the day of a game – I could've twisted my ankle".
In July 1998, Wright had left Arsenal for West Ham United, just as Wenger's next year in northern London's premier division and FA Cup winning streak had doubled.
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