Wenger’s first match

Ahead of Arsene Wenger's 1,000th game in charge of Arsenal at Chelsea on Saturday, here is a look at his very first game in charge of the London side, back in October 1996.

Blackburn Rovers 0 Arsenal 2

All eyes were on the dugout at Ewood Park when unheralded French coach Wenger made his debut in English football - and was handed a winning start after a brace from Ian Wright.

The Gunners took an early lead after just three minutes when a long ball from Nigel Winterburn was knocked down by John Hartson, and Wright crashed his shot past Tim Flowers.

Rovers were soon pressing for an equaliser, with teenage striker James Beattie leading the attack.

Midfielder Tim Sherwood saw his header hit the top of the crossbar following a lofted pass by Chris Sutton.

The Gunners, though, nearly snatched a second on the break when Hartson turned David Platt’s pass goalwards, only for Flowers to make a fine save.

Sherwood was denied by the woodwork again when heading against the post just before half-time.

Arsenal made Rovers pay with a clinical finish from Wright on 51 minutes.

The England forward got ahead of the defence to latch onto a pass from recent signing Patrick Vieira and chip the ball past Flowers.

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Arsene Wenger's first Arsenal team: Seaman, Dixon, Keown, Bould, Adams, Winterburn, Platt, Vieira, Merson, Wright, Hartson.

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Substitutes: Lukic, Parlour, Shaw, Linighan, Rose.

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