26 years ago today - Saturday, October 12, 1996 - a new era dawned on English football.
Arsene Wenger, fresh from an escapade in Japan and amid overwhelming skepticism from critics - Sir Alex Ferguson being one - took charge of Arsenal Football Club for the first time, kicking off a glorious 22-year reign. But long before his marvellous feats such as going a full Premier League season unbeaten and lifting the title, winning seven FA Cups and reaching a Champions League final, his first task would be to pick up three points against the side bottom of the division.
Despite becoming champions a mere 18 months earlier, Blackburn Rovers were propping up the rest of the table, winless after eight games. The Lancashire outfit proved to be the perfect opposition for Bruce Rioch 's successor, as Ian Wright scored either side of half-time to help Wenger and co claim victory, with a baying Ewood Park as the backdrop to a memorable occasion - on and off the pitch.
