Marriner was wrong to send anyone off because Oxlade-Chamberlain didn't deny an obvious goalscoring opportunity... again, we NEED video replays to help referees

Andre Marriner said he was wrong to send Kieran Gibbs off as it was a case of mistaken identity - replays confirmed what most observers saw at full speed as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was the Arsenal man who handled the ball.
However, with the ball seemingly going wide I do not think either player should have been dismissed as there was no denial of an obvious goalscoring opportunity. 
 
Admission: Oxlade-Chamberlain even approached Marriner to tell him it was he who handled the ball
Marriner did well to detect the devious handball as Oxlade-Chamberlain dived full length and tried to head the ball.
He stated that it was his decision and his alone and while I would accept that from where assistant Marc Perry was standing it was very difficult to see the handball I would expect him to keep his eye on the player and let the referee know who it was to ensure the correct player was dismissed.
It was good to see that Oxlade-Chamberlain admitted to Marriner that he had handled the ball in an attempt to get the Midlands referee to change the red card shown wrongly to Gibbs, but unless one of the other officials tells the referee of his error he will stick to the original decision.
 

Boost for Barcelona and Real with Pique and Benzema set to return for El Clasico

Barcelona and Real Madrid have both been handed boosts ahead of Sunday's El Clasico with the news Gerard Pique and Karim Benzema should be available for selection.
Defender Pique missed Barca's 7-0 win over Osasuna as a precaution to rest his right ankle but returned to training on Monday.
However, Carles Puyol, who is set to leave the Nou Camp at the end of the season, will miss what would have been his final clash against Real with a knee injury.
 
Comeback: Defender Gerard Pique is set to return to the Barcelona team after recovering from an ankle injury
 
Jokers: Neymar and Jordi Alba lark around during Barcelona's training session on Saturday
Meanwhile, France international Karim Benzema looks set to return to the Los Blancos line-up having missed his side's 3-1 victory over Schalke in the Champions League on Tuesday.
The former Lyon striker returned to Carlo Ancelotti's squad on Saturday after injuring himself during Madrid's 1-0 victory away at Malaga.
La Liga leaders Real go into Sunday's match four points clear of third-placed Barcelona while local rivals Atletico trail by three points in second.
 
He's in fashion: Cristiano Ronaldo, wearing rather usual head gear, trains with Gareth Bale

Chelsea 6-0 Arsenal: Gunners hit for SIX by rampant Blues on Wenger's 1,000th game as Gibbs is mistakenly sent off after Oxlade-Chamberlain's handball on the line

There was a bizarre case of mistaken identity as Arsenal embarrassingly capitulated in Arsene Wenger's 1,000th match in charge in a 6-0 loss to Barclays Premier League leaders Chelsea.
Wenger was last month called 'a specialist in failure' by Jose Mourinho and remains without a victory in 11 attempts against his nemesis after a spectacular implosion and an horrendous mistake by referee Andre Marriner.
The Frenchman watched on helplessly after two goals in three first-half minutes from Samuel Eto'o and Andre Schurrle gave Chelsea a handsome lead inside the first 10 minutes before Marriner sent off Kieran Gibbs for a handball committed by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Eden Hazard's shot was handled in the area and, despite Oxlade-Chamberlain appearing to approach the official to admit wrongdoing, Gibbs was shown a red card in a decision which continues the debate over the use of television replays.
 
Thumping: Chelsea ran riot over a hapless Arsenal in the first-half at Stamford Bridge
 
Not needed: The handball was intentional but not necessary, with the ball going wide
Hazard converted the penalty to give the Blues a 3-0 advantage after 17 minutes as once against the Gunners imploded at the home of a title rival following the heavy losses at Manchester City and Liverpool.
Oscar added a fourth before the interval, a fifth after 66 minutes and his replacement Mohamed Salah struck his first Chelsea goal as the Blues responded from the controversial loss at Aston Villa in emphatic fashion.
Stamford Bridge revelled in the success, roaring 'Arsene Wenger, we want you to stay' and 'specialist in failure'.
Marriner has previous at Stamford Bridge this season, awarding Chelsea a controversial last-gasp penalty against West Brom in November when it appeared Ramires dived.
Hazard scored on that occasion to earn a draw in a result which preserved Mourinho's unbeaten Premier League record at home, which now stands at 76 matches.
The only saving grace on this occasion was that the decision did not appear to impact on the result and it is likely that Oxlade-Chamberlain will serve the suspension if Arsenal appeal or the Football Association intervene.
With eight games remaining, Chelsea top the standings having played more matches than their three rivals, but Wenger's title chance seems to have slipped and regaining the FA Cup won in 2005 appears to be the Gunners' only opportunity of ending their silverware search.
 
Bow down: Salah celebrates after scoring his first goal for Chelsea in the win

Mourinho made his 'failure' barb - referring to Wenger's eight-year trophy drought - after the Frenchman suggested anyone playing down their team's title chances was doing so for fear of falling short.

GRAHAM POLL ON MARRINER

Read the former referee's view on the Kieran Gibbs sending off HERE

It ended the truce which had broken out in Mourinho's absence from the Premier League and, ahead of their third meeting of the season, Mourinho stopped short of joining those paying tribute to Wenger ahead of his landmark match.
Wenger's 500th game was a loss to Chelsea in August 2006 and there were warnings in the opening skirmishes of a repeat as Schurrle and Eto'o exposed gaping holes in the Gunners defence.
Petr Cech was at full stretch to turn away an Olivier Giroud effort before a direct run from Schurrle led to the opening goal.
Schurrle fed Eto'o, who turned Oxlade-Chamberlain outside and then in before curling left-footed across Wojciech Szczesny for his 11th goal of the season, all of which have come at home.
Soon after it was two after Nemanja Matic dispossessed Tomas Rosicky and found Schurrle, whose shot through three bodies found the corner of the net.
After the 6-3 loss at the Etihad Stadium and 5-1 defeat at Anfield, the sinking feeling on a Saturday lunchtime was familiar for the Gunners.

RECORDS TUMBLING

The win was Jose Mourinho's biggest as Chelsea boss, and the Blues' heaviest win over Arsenal

Worse was to follow when Hazard's shot beat Szczesny and Oxlade-Chamberlain dived to his left to handle the shot, which was going wide.
Marriner awarded a penalty and thought the offender was Gibbs, seemingly refusing to be persuaded otherwise by Oxlade-Chamberlain, and Hazard converted the spot-kick after the mayhem had subsided.
Thomas Vermaelen went on for Lukas Podolski, but the Gunners leaked a fourth three minutes before half-time when Fernando Torres, on for the injured Eto'o, crossed for Oscar to tap in.
Oxlade-Chamberlain and Laurent Koscielny did not reappear for the second half as Wenger made two further substitutions in an effort to stop the rot.
Torres had a mazy run halted by Per Mertesacker and the ball broke for David Luiz, whose shot was saved by Szczesny, while there was a rare Arsenal attack which saw Santi Cazorla flash a shot across goal after 60 minutes.
Arsenal's miserable afternoon continued when the defence backed off and allowed Oscar to shoot from the edge of the area, with Szczesny less than convincing in being beaten for a fifth time.
Salah replaced Oscar and soon after netted under Szczesny after racing on to Matic's lofted pass, completing the rout.

Van Persie ruled out for up to six weeks as Manchester United lose striker for Champions League clashes with Bayern

Manchester United’s hopes of rescuing their season with Champions League glory were dealt a hammer blow when Robin van Persie was ruled out of both legs of the quarter-final with Bayern Munich.
The striker, whose hat-trick against Olympiacos on Wednesday set up the tie with the European champions, will be out for up to six weeks — meaning he may not be fit until United’s final Premier League game on May 11.
After a day of tests on the injury he suffered near the end of the Olympiacos game, United’s medical staff confirmed that Van Persie had a strained knee.
 
Unhappy ending: Robin van Persie was carried off on a stretcher after scoring three against Olympiacos
At one time there were even fears in Holland that the 30-year-old’s problem might be serious enough to rule him out of the World Cup.
The diagnosis was good news for the Dutch, but was a huge blow for United and their manager David Moyes as he looks to revive a season which looks increasingly likely to end with the club failing to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in 19 years.
United play Bayern at home on April 1, then travel to Munich eight days later. That gives Van Persie no chance of taking part.
Bayern have knocked United out of the competition twice since Sir Alex Ferguson’s side famously beat them with two late goals to win the Champions League final in 1999, and will be firm favourites when they meet next month.
However, Moyes, fresh from another meeting with chief executive Edward Woodward to discuss his summer transfer targets, has watched Bayern several times this season and believes that he has spotted weaknesses United can exploit.

Games RVP could miss

Mar 23: West Ham (A)
Mar 25: Man City (H)
Mar 29: Aston Villa (H)
Apr 1: Bayern Munich (H)
Apr 5: Newcastle (A)
Apr 9: Bayern Munich (A)
Apr 20: Everton (A)
Apr 26: Norwich (H)
 
Hat-trick hero: Van Persie's three goals sealed the victory over Olympiacos and United's place in the last eight

 

Aguero misses Manchester derby... and City's star striker faces fitness race to make crunch clash with Arsenal

Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero is out of Tuesday's derby clash with United and manager Manuel Pellegrini admitted his top scorer is a doubt to face Arsenal next weekend.
Aguero has been troubled with hamstring problems this season and picked up the latest injury in last week's Champions League defeat by Barcelona.
City trail Premier League leaders Chelsea by six points but have three games in hand. 
 
Sidelined: Sergio Aguero (right) damaged his hamstring during City's loss at Barcelona
After Fulham at the Etihad on Saturday, it's the short trip to Old Trafford before Arsenal away.
Pellegrini would love to have his 26-goal man available but said: 'We don't know yet. Maybe next week he will start working with the squad. But I don't think that it will be the whole week. Maybe at end of the week he can be with the squad starting training. For United? No chance.'
There was some good news for City fans concerned about Aguero as Pellegrini dismissed talk of him heading to Barcelona.
'Aguero is a Manchester City player, he is very happy here and we are very happy with Aguero,' said the City manager.
Pellegrini will, however, be boosted by the return of forward Stevan Jovetic, who has struggled to stay fit for much of the season, although Matija Nastasic remains some away from from returning from a knee problem.
The Chilean meanwhile, insisted that City would not take relegation-battling Fulham lightly ahead of the rather more glamorous games that lie on the horizon and warned his players to learn the lessons of the FA Cup defeat at home to Wigan and the struggles that City encountered in only narrow victories at home to Stoke and Crystal Palace.
Pellegrini added: 'We are just thinking about Fulham, we are not thinking about Manchester United. It is a very tough game, the teams in the bottom of the table try to add points everywhere. With Felix Magath, he has a team that will play with a lot of intensity. We have to work very hard to win. We have experience from Wigan, Palace, Stoke, where it was very difficult to score a goal.'
Pellegrini also had words of praise for Arsene Wenger, who this weekend takes charge of his 1,000th competitive game as Arsenal manager.
'It is not easy,' the City boss reflected, 'It is really for a special manager. He has had a wonderful, beautiful career. I think that winning three Premier League titles is a great achievement, so congratulations to him.
'I think the most important thing is to continue working so long at the same club.It is very difficult to do for any manager.'


 

United face daunting task of knocking out holders Bayern Munich as Chelsea draw PSG in Champions League quarters

Manchester United face the daunting challenge of knocking out Champions League holders Bayern Munich after being drawn against the German giants in the quarter-finals.
The only other remaining Premier League team, Chelsea, face French champions Paris Saint-Germain after the balls were drawn by Barcelona and Real Madrid legend Luis Figo in Nyon, Switzerland.
Elsewhere, in an all-Spanish tie, Barcelona take on surprise package Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid will play Bundesliga outfit Borussia Dortmund to complete the draw.
 
Up close and personal: Manchester United were drawn against old enemy Bayern Munich
 
Holy grail: The Champions League trophy in Nyon, Switzerland ahead of the draw
David Moyes' United side turned around a two-goal deficit against Olympiacos at Old Trafford to progress, but have a far tougher task if they are to reach the semi-finals.
Moyes, who has come under increasing pressure after a 3-0 thumping by Liverpool last weekend, will pit his wits against former Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola at the Allianz Arena in the second leg.
Bayern, who knocked United out of the competition the last time the two sides met in 2010 through a sensational volley from Arjen Robben, progressed top of a group containing Manchester City, CSKA Moscow and Viktoria Plzen.
 
In the mix: Wayne Rooney and Manchester United are outsiders for the competition after scraping through

They then went on to ease past Arsenal over two legs in the round of 16.
The Germans have a sensational record in Europe in recent years. Beaten finallists in 2012 by Chelsea, they went on to win the competition last season by beating Dortmund in the Wembley final.
Former manager Jupp Heynckes led his side to a treble and thumped Barcelona 7-0 on aggregate in last season's semi-final.
Ominously for Moyes and United, Bayern dominated Italian giants Juventus at the same stage last season, winning 4-0 on aggregate.
But United fans will fondly remember one of the most glorious nights in their rich history came when they beat Bayern Munich in Barcelona in 1999 to snatch Sir Alex Ferguson's first Champions League crown. But the Treble-winning United 15 years ago look a far-cry from Moyes' team now, who sit seventh in the Barclays Premier League.
 
Meanwhile, Chelsea travel to Paris for their first-leg clash with PSG. A one-on-one showdown already earmarked as a must-see is the duel between Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Blues defender John Terry.
Chelsea have faced the French side twice in the competition before, both games coming in the same season 10 years ago.
In 2004, Chelsea travelled to Paris and won 3-0 in the group-stage game and drew 0-0 in the corresponding game at Stamford Bridge.
The tie will also see Jose Mourinho come up against his former striker Ibrahimovic, who he managed while at Inter Milan.
Ibrahimovic has spoken of his admiration for Mourinho, saying in his autobiography that he 'was basically willing to die for' the Portuguese.
The Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain tie is the battle of two of the wealthiest clubs in Europe, and the Qatar-based PSG owners will reportedly pay their players a whopping £820,000 bonus if they overcome the London club and win the Champions League.
'It's a massive game,' Chelsea chief executive Ron Gourlay said. 'We have a good balance between young and experienced players and, in our eye, the top coach in the world.
'We have a top quality side but we know we'll be playing a Paris Saint-Germain side that has some big individual players.'
Sportsmail's Jamie Redknapp believes United will struggle to overcome Bayern to reach the next stage.
'It is the toughest draw you could wish to have,' Redknapp said of the holders on Sky Sports News.
'Anybody's beatable but at the moment are Man United capable of doing that? I don't think so.
'Arsenal have proved that teams can go there (to the Allianz Arena) and get results but this year, they just look a better side.
'Listen, they've got nothing to lose. They are going to go there and all the pressure is on Bayern Munich now.'
The first batch of fixtures take place on April 1 and 2 with the second-leg matches coming the following week (April 8 and 9).

BARCELONA

MEET THE BOSS: Gerardo 'Tata' Martino
To many the former Paraguay boss was a surprise appointment at the Nou Camp in the summer but he still loves his teams to attack and press high up the pitch and doesn't mind a bit of 'tiki-taka' either.
STAR MAN: Lionel Messi
Cristiano Ronaldo may have stolen his thunder but the diminutive Argentine is getting back to his best after niggling injuries.
UNSUNG HERO: Sergio Busquets
While Xavi gets the passing plaudits, Busquets keeps the ball and wins it back as well as anybody.
STORY OF THE SEASON
Rocky by their own exacting standard with Martino trying to put his own stamp on things. But they remain well and truly in the hunt for honours both domestically and in Europe.
EUROPEAN PEDIGREE
European Cup/Champions League. Winners (4): 1992, 2006, 2009, 2011. Cup Winners' Cup. Winners (4): 1979, 1982, 1989, 1997. Fairs Cup. Winners (3): 1958, 1960, 1966.
DANGER RATING: 4/5.
STATS AMAZING: 818 - Xavi has completed the most passes in this season's competition with a 92 per cent completion rate. 

ATLETICO MADRID

MEET THE BOSS: Diego Simeone
He's come a long way since getting David Beckham sent off, taking his side out of the shadow of Real Madrid by winning the Europa League, the European Super Cup, the Copa del Rey and contenders for La Liga.
STAR MAN: Diego Costa
Rapidly becoming the most coveted striker in Europe after Falcao's departure.
UNSUNG HERO: Diego Godin
Helped get Villarreal to the Champions League before becoming a mainstay in Atletico's defence. England will need to get past the Uruguayan this summer.
STORY OF THE SEASON
One of remarkable success in which Atletico can still break the La Liga title stranglehold held by Real Madrid and Barcelona and could even win the Champions League for the first time
EUROPEAN PEDIGREE
Europa League: Winners (2) 2010, 2012. Cup Winners' Cup: Winners (1) 1962.
DANGER RATING: 3/5
STATS AMAZING: 21 - midfielder Gabi is joint top of the charts when it comes to fouls committed by any player still left in the competition. 

REAL MADRID

MEET THE BOSS: Carlo Ancelotti. Won it as a player and coach, Champions League pedigree through and through and the manager Real president Florentino Perez chased after for years.
STAR MAN: Cristiano Ronaldo.
The greatest player on the planet just keeps on getting better and better. In the Champions League categories that count, he tops the charts this season.
UNSUNG HERO: Luka Modric.
OK, so we all know him but the former Spurs star makes Real tick from the centre of the park. Earned the right to be mentioned in the same breath as the star names.
STORY OF THE SEASON
It's starting to look like Real have timed their run to perfection after hitting the top of La Liga just at the right time while this season is surely their best chance of winning their 10th European Cup for many a year – an all-consuming task for fans, players and press alike.
EUROPEAN PEDIGREE
European Cup/Champions League. Winners (9): 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1966, 1998, 2000, 2002. UEFA Cup. Winners (2): 1985, 1986.
DANGER RATING: 4/5.
STATS AMAZING:  3.63. Real Madrid  have easily the best goals to games ratio in this season's Champions League with 29 from eight games.  

BORUSSIA DORTMUND

MEET THE BOSS: Jurgen Klopp.
Touted by many as the man who should have got the Manchester United job instead of David Moyes, Klopp may have been overshadowed by Guardiola this season but last season's beaten finalist are in the hat once more and remain Bayern's nearest challengers.
STAR MAN: Robert Lewandowski.
The Poland striker has carried his team in a disappointing campaign and will be sorely missed in the quarter-final first leg after picking up a yellow card against Zenit. He will be even more sorely missed when he moves to Bayern this summer.
UNSUNG HERO: Kevin Grosskreutz.
A lifelong Dortmund supporter, Grosskreutz ability to fill a variety of roles in midfield and defence has been a vital asset in a difficult season.
STORY OF THE SEASON
Injuries to key players means Dortmund have failed to hit the heights of the previous campaign while the departure of Mario Gotze to Bayern has not helped either. But they are starting to find some form and could yet spring a surprise on Europe.
EUROPEAN PEDIGREE: Champions League. Winners (1): 1997. Cup Winners' Cup. Winners (1): 1966.
DANGER RATING 2/5.
STATS AMAZING: 96507m - Nuri Sahin has covered more ground than any other player in the Champions League this season. 

MANCHESTER UNITED

MEET THE BOSS: David Moyes.
Replacing Sir Alex Ferguson was always going to be tough, but this tough? The jury is well and truly out on Moyes but Europe could be his salvation. Was Robin van Persie's hat-trick against Olympiacos his Mark Robins moment?
STAR MAN: Wayne Rooney.
Goodness only knows where Manchester United would be if they had not had Rooney to rely on this season. With Van Persie blowing more cold than hot, Rooney is a shining light in a squad that needs a major overhaul.
UNSUNG HERO: David de Gea
There is still the odd gaffe but his double save against Olympiacos showed just what a good keeper De Gea is on his day.
STORY OF THE SEASON
Disastrous domestically but in Europe there remains hope, albeit slim, of redemption in the Champions League. It remains to be seen whether Moyes will be trusted to revamp the playing staff in the summer and further progress in Europe is a must.
EUROPEAN PEDIGREE
European Cup/Champions League. Winners (3): 1968, 1999, 2008. Cup Winners' Cup. Winners (1): 1991.
DANGER RATING: 2/5.
STATS AMAZING: Seven - Wayne Rooney is topping the assist  charts in the Champions League this season.

BAYERN MUNICH

MEET THE BOSS: Pep Guardiola
The former Barcelona coach has taken to the Bundesliga like a duck to water marrying Latin flair with Teutonic tenacity to enhance their reputation as the best side in Europe.
STAR MAN: Arjen Robben
A new lease of life at Bayern after being cast aside by Real Madrid. Still likes to take a tumble but the trickery, goal threat and delivery are unblemished. Man of the match in last season's final.
UNSUNG HERO: Manuel Neuer
They don't need him that often but when called upon Bayern have the best keeper in Europe between the sticks.
STORY OF THE SEASON
One of complete domination in the Bundesliga in which they hold a 23 point advantage over Borussia Dortmund. The defeat to Manchester City is their only loss in the Champions League so far.
EUROPEAN PEDIGREE
European Cup/Champions League. Winners (5): 1974, 1975, 1976, 2001, 2013. UEFA Cup/Europa League. Winners (1): 1996. Cup Winners' Cup. Winners (1): 1967.
DANGER RATING: 5/5.
STATS AMAZING 73 per cent - In their 2-0 win over Arsenal at The Emirates, Bayern registered the best possession stats of the competition so far.

PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN

MEET THE BOSS: Laurent Blanc.
Stepping into the breach after Carlo Ancelotti, Blanc is well on course to steering oil-rich PSG to the defence of their league crown. He has matched his predecessor's performance in Europe and are many a pundits outside bet to progress much further.
STAR MAN: Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Never short on confidence, Ibrahimovic has the talent to win matches on his own. No defence will fancy coming up against him.
UNSUNG HERO: Blaise Matuidi.
They know a thing about water carriers in France and Matuidi is following in the footsteps of the likes of Deschamps and Makelele.
STORY OF THE SEASON
PSG are certain to retain their league crown and no one will fancy pulling them out of the hat in Europe. They made it out of a hard fought group as winners before dismantling Bayer Leverkusen 6-1 on aggregate.
EUROPEAN PEDIGREE
Cup Winners' Cup. Winners (1): 1996.
DANGER RATING 3/5.
STATS AMAZING: Five - Watch them in the air, PSG have scored more headers than any other in this season's Champions League. 

CHELSEA

MEET THE BOSS: Jose Mourinho.
'The Special One' has unfinished business at Stamford Bridge having not lifted the Champions League with his beloved Chelsea – not that he'll admit they have a chance.
STAR MAN: Eden Hazard.
Under Mourinho Chelsea fans are starting to see the best of the Belgium international. Mourinho rates him as the best young player in Europe and it is hard to argue.
UNSUNG HERO: Gary Cahill.
John Terry is revitalised under Mourinho but Cahill's performances at the back have been just as important to Chelsea this season.
STORY OF THE SEASON.
The little horse is picking up speed but still prone to the occasional loss of footing. They may not be the finished article but they are still contenders for the double.
EUROPEAN PEDIGREE: European Cup/Champions League. Winners (1): 2012. UEFA Cup/Europa League. Winners (1): 2013. Cup Winners' Cup. Winners (2): 1971, 1998.
DANGER RATING: 3/5.
STATS AMAZING: 4 - Oscar has assisted twice as many goals in the Champions League this season as he has in the Premier League.

Wenger strikes philosophical note after receiving golden cannon to mark 1,000 matches in charge of Arsenal

Arsene Wenger has been presented with a golden cannon to mark 1,000 matches in charge of Arsenal.
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.
 
The winning days are over?

‘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.’
More to follow