Arsenal were crazy to give me this job; UEFA CHAMPIONS LGE GP H,TONIGHT, 7.45.

Byline: JOHN CROSS

ARSENAL v OLYMPIACOS 

ARSENE WENGER will become Arsenal's longest-serving manager this week after admitting the club were "crazy" to give him the job in the first place.

The Frenchman overtakes legendary former boss George Allison, having been in charge for 13 years to the day on Thursday - a staggering 4,745 days.

But despite being Arsenal's most successful manager of all time, Wenger says that he cannot afford another year without a trophy.

It is a big admission from Wenger bearing in mind that he has won two Doubles, including three Premier League titles and four FA Cups.

The boss, who turns 60 next month, still remembers when he was first given the job in 1996 and fans were asking: "Arsene who?"

Wenger has since become a trailblazer for foreign managers in the Premier League even if, by his own admission, the club took a major gamble to give him the job.

"Yes it was (a gamble) and when I think retrospectively, that is the biggest surprise to me," said Wenger.

"Because at that time, what Arsenal did, you needed to be a little bit crazy. Crazy in the sense that I had no name, I was foreign, there was no history.

"I don't believe I could only have Arise Sir out the knights we'd mirrorfootball.

done that at Arsenal. opinion But I believe I was lucky to find at Arsenal the support, and that is important for success.

"My first impression was to convince people I have the needed quality to do the job that I have. I still try to do that today. It has not changed.

"Today every foreign manager who comes in is welcomed with red carpet. It was not like that when I arrived. There was a history and belief in England that the foreign manager could not be successful.

"Now you have a different feeling, now you think only foreign managers can be successful. That is wrong as well."

But Wenger was overlooked for the co.uk/ job in 1995 - because the Arsenal board favoured Bruce Rioch.

Rioch lasted just over one year before Wenger - who was working in Japan - was brought in and that marked a turning point... in the Premier League favouring foreign bosses over British. The Frenchman has not looked back, citing the 2003-04 Invincibles season as his high point and last season's Champions League semi-final defeat to Manchester United as his low.

"To play a whole season unbeaten. No matter how much money anybody else has invested, nobody else has done that," said Wenger.

"But losing the semi-final of the Champions League was the lowest point because we didn't play at our level."

Wenger, whose contract expires in 2011, would not commit himself yesterday to answering if he would sign a new deal. Instead, he admitted this season is a pivotal one.

Wenger said: "It's an important season and I want to completely focus on it. We have waited three or four seasons for this team to mature.

"I would not say now or never, because it's not now or never. They will be highly successful. But it's an important season for our policy to do well."

Allison was made of the write stuff

GEORGE ALLISON was born in Darlington and came to London in 1905, becoming programme editor at Highbury.

Ex-journalist Allison (above) rose to managing director and was named manager in June 1934.

He won the League in 1935 and 1938, as well as the FA Cup in 1936.

HOW THEY LINE UP TONIGHT

..AND HOW GROUP H LOOKS

THREE OLYMPIACOS STARS TO WATCH

OLOF MELLBERG 

Veteran Sweden defender Mellberg will know all about the dangers of the Arsenal attack, having spent seven seasons at Aston Villa before joining Juventus in 2008, then moving on to Greece last summer. It is the fifth country in which he has played at the top level.

VASILIS TOROSIDIS 

Versatile Torosidis scored twice in the recent win over AEK Athens, the Greek international impressing as Zico's side continue their unbeaten domestic record.

Now the regular left-back for his country, he may line up in midfield tonight as the Greeks pack that area.

DIOGO

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was once on the case of talented Brazilian youngster Diogo when he was at Sao Paulo side Portuguesa, which tells you everything about the potential of the 22-year-old forward. Chelsea and Liverpool also checked him out last season.

TONIGHT'S FIRST SCORER: 7-2 Van Persie, 4-1 Arshavin, 11-2 Vela, 15-2 Fabregas, 8-1 Rosicky.

Freephone: 0800 444040

Arise Sir Giggsy! Check out the footballing knights we'd love to see at mirrorfootball.co.uk/ opinion

CAPTION(S):

MARBLE HALLS Arsene Wenger at Arsenal's former home Highbury, which has been converted into luxury apartments. For further information, please go to www.highburysquare.com