In 1996 there was a stigma attached to the club's defensive style which attracted the taunt of "boring, boring Arsenal".

But the Frenchman's obsession for perfection and infamous eye for detail, with training timed to the second and diets measured to the calorie, altered the attitude of players and supporters alike.

His methodical, scientific approach drew extra years from an ageing back four and ahead of it he sowed the seeds to the scintillating style on show today.

In 565 games it is 1,020 goals and counting at 1.80-a-match, up on a figure of 1.37 from a decade ago.