Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger reveals 35-year managerial career is down to 'luck'

Frenchman has been in charge with the Gunners since September 1996

Arsene Wenger with the trophy - the 12th in Arsenal's history (GETTY IMAGES)

Arsene Wenger has said that his long career as a top-flight football manager boils down to one thing - luck.

The 65-year-old Frenchman has been in management for 35 years, almost 19 of those in charge in north London with Arsenal, where he took over in September 1996.

Wenger, who won the sixth FA Cup of his career last season and has also won two League titles with Arsenal, revealed the secret to his success.

"If you consider the average lifespan of a manager is 12 months, then I was so lucky to have 35 years so far. So I push on," he told the Arsenal webiste.

While Wenger realises he cannot continue as manager forever, it is not quite yet time to call it a day.

"I am not naive enough to believe I will be forever on a football pitch! At some stage I will have to do something different," he added.

"But as long as I can, I want to be on the pitch. That’s where I’m happy, that’s where I get my satisfaction, that’s where I feel I can be useful."

Wenger also said that the most rewarding part of his job is finding young players and seeing them develop.

"I love football and I love to try to help the players to be better. I love as well that players feel they can become a better player at this club. I think that’s an important part of the job.

"I started at the age of 31, now I am 65 and I've never stopped. Never, not for a day. So I have spent 34 years on the pitches every day. It has been my life and it will be my life as long as I can do it."