The Velvet glove

Double, double winning coach at Highbury, Arsene Wenger, has achieved something special – success and universal respect. How does he do this?, wonders Tony Leen.

THERE was something quite remarkable about Arsenal’s pivotal local derby at Highbury against Tottenham last April in the Premiership.It wasn’t the bizarre penalty decision awarded against David Seaman with 10 minutes remaining, nor the equally inexplicable decision by ref Mike Halsey to grant the Gunners a reprieve (and a 2-1 victory) by way of an equally dubious penalty five minutes later.

Only when Arsene Wenger virtually shook with relief at the full-time whistle did the 38,000 supporters and millions of TV viewers conclusively determine that it is blood, not ice, that courses through the veins of the most cerebral manager in the Premiership.