Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has spoken of the obstacles he had to overcome when taking over at Highbury.

Wenger was hailed a hero when he led the Londoners to the league and cup Double in May. But he now admits it was a different story for a time after he moved to North London in October 1996.

"When I went to Arsenal I was not exactly greeted with open arms and had to overcome a good deal of resistance.

"Initially everyone laughed at my training methods; they found them ridiculous but they did what they were told because they were curious.

"Pat Rice helped me a lot. He's red and white through and through. A good assistant is vital and he's a good assistant.

"At first there were lots of petty jealousies. The English players considered the French players as softies.

"Only when they started to watch them play in training did we manage to get the spirit I was looking for," Wenger told Total Football.