The Frenchman reaches the milestone when the Gunners travel to Stamford Bridge to take on Chelsea in the Barclays Premier League on Saturday lunchtime.
To mark the achievement, Arsenal chairman Sir Chips Keswick presented Wenger with a memento before the gathered media at the club's training ground on Friday morning.
Landmark: Arsenal chairman Sir Chips Keswick presented Arsene Wenger with a golden cannon to mark 1,000 matches in charge
Reflecting on the ups and downs of a period that has seen Wenger guide the club to three Premier League titles and four FA Cups, he struck a philosophical note.
'Every defeat is a scar on the heart you never forget and every win is forgotten because you find it normal.
'There has been a lot of suffering in 1,000 games. What I want is the next moment of happiness.
'I'm an idealist but no fool. I'm at a stage in my career where I am extremely passionate, maybe more than ever to do more for this club. But I have to accept the next thousand may be difficult.'
He added: 'I've shown loyalty and turned many things down and agreed to work with restricted potential. I could rate what I had at this club.
'We have been through difficult and fantastic periods but we are always focused on being united as a club, that's why I always acted with three things in my mind.
'First every decision I make like I own the club. Second in a job where you need a clear perception of ideas and the courage to transform it into action.
'And third to make this club grow and make sure it is bigger when I leave than when I arrived. Time will tell if I managed that.'
When awarding him his trophy, Keswick said: 'A thousands games is a rite of passage. This cannon was designed 125 years ago by the workers in the factory in Woolwich.
'You've transformed the beautiful game back into the beautiful game.'
Speaking at his press conference ahead of the Chelsea match, Wenger said: 'It is a huge privilege to manage 1,000 games at one club.
'From the moment I met David Dein and he introduced me to Peter Hill-Wood, a lot has happened at this club.'
Wenger added: 'I had the freedom to work and the trust of people. The most important thing is to wake up and be happy to go to your job.
'We are human and I have made mistakes but we have achieved incredible consistency.
'Today we can fight again with the top clubs financially. I'm not in a position to judge my achievements. I'll leave that to other people.'
League Managers' Association chief executive Richard Bevan presented Wenger with a crystal vase in honour of the achievement.
In a statement, Bevan said: 'On behalf of everyone at the LMA, I congratulate Arsene on reaching such a momentous milestone as manager of Arsenal.
'When you consider there are just 23 managers in the very select group to have reached the landmark of 1000 matches in English football, this feat is even more impressive as he is one of just four men to have accomplished it at one club, and with Arsenal being one of the world’s most prestigious clubs.
'Arsene has enjoyed a hugely successful career as the manager of Arsenal and is rightly renowned as a true footballing innovator, not just in England but worldwide.
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‘This achievement is a remarkable celebration of success and longevity. In a profession where time can often be an all too rare commodity, 1000 matches at one club exhibits an enduring quality, which can only serve as an inspiration to all current as well as all aspiring managers and coaches.’
Old adversary and former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson issued his own tribute to mark the occasion.
He said: ‘I congratulate Arsene in reaching this momentous landmark. Having also reached the same milestone at one club, I cannot emphasise enough the level of dedication, resilience as well as sacrifice required and for that I have for the utmost admiration.
'Over the years we enjoyed some fantastic battles and you could say we had survived together and respected each other’s efforts to play good football.
'I always enjoy watching Arsene’s sides – Arsenal play the right way. Playing against them always presented special challenges that I burned many hours over the years thinking about.
'He has always been a conscientious member of our trade who makes it his business to help other managers.
'Perhaps the biggest compliment I could give Arsene is that I could never be anything other than competitive with my rival for 17 years.
'Overall this achievement once again shows what stability can bring to a football club and without doubt he has created a permanent legacy during his 1000 matches with the Club.’
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