When he arrived at Highbury, his round-rimmed glasses and sober suits suggesting a headmaster or accountant rather than football genius, they wondered Arsene who? A man with a record of near-misses in France and recently employed in the fledgling Japanese league, his main credentials for the job appeared to be a Christian name which sounded like ‘Arsenal'. No-one is asking Arsene who? any more. For Wenger, with a little help from a faltering Manchester United, has delivered Arsenal's first Premiership trophy - their 11th championship in a proud and illustrious history and seems certain to turn that into the club's second double when his irresistible force meet disappointing Newcastle at Wembley on May 16. Perhaps Wenger's greatest achievement is to shake the nation out of generations of prejudice. Arsenal, after all, is the club which for a century has been adored in a small and passionate enclave of north London, but hated by the rest of the country. Foreigners could have been excused for thinking the club's name was double-barrelled so synonymous have 'Boring-Arsenal' and 'Lucky-Arsenal' become with the club's fortunes. And try spotting an Arsenal replica shirt north of Watford. Until the last couple of months, it had been tougher than getting a World Cup ticket through one of those French hotlines. But after 12 consecutive victories brimming with panache it is not too fanciful to suggest that, following Newcastle's catastrophic fall from public affection, the new vibrant, entertaining Arsenal could become many people's favourite second team. No longer, it seems, is their success accepted grudgingly with a sneer and a scowl. Why, at Oakwell recently Barnsley fans, despite a 2-0 defeat worsening their own relegation worries, gave them a standing ovation of quite breathtaking warmth and generosity. They chanted ''Champions,'' Yorkshire stalwarts likened them to Brazil - and, it has to be said, at times over the last few weeks they played like them. At the helm Wenger, it seems, is truly the manager from Utopia. After the summary dismissal of George Graham, given half an hour to clear his desk over the infamous bung, and the ruthless firing of the volatile Bruce Rioch, Wenger's gentle, yet meticulous nature appears perfectly suited to the demands of running a team at a club which has always demanded a certain decorum. Stories about the Old Etonians in the Highbury boardroom are legend. Former chairman Denis Hill-Wood once turned round the team's charter flight soon after take-off following one glorious European triumph because the stewards had forgotten to pack a crate of celebratory champagne. Yes, the board has often appeared to possess an arrogance and a swagger that escaped the team. Until now. For while once Arsenal were pragmatic, they are now cultured and sophisticated - charisma oozing from every quarter. In Patrick Vieira and Emmanuel Petit they have a skilful midfield partnership with a touch of steel, yet a hint of romance. Flying Dutch winger Marc Overmars provides penetrating pace, young strikers Anelka and Wreh have rapidly matured into exciting talents after suspect starts. And then there is Dennis Bergkamp - the PFA and Football Writers' Association Player of the Year whose increasingly inventive goals have adorned the Premiership like a casket of rare and precious jewels. Perhaps the true measure of Arsenal's superiority is that Highbury icon Ian Wright barely deserves a mention - out injured for three months yet he has hardly been missed. The shrewdest move which ultimately planted the seeds for the blossoming champions, however, came within days of Wenger's arrival with the decision to keep faith in Highbury's ageing but still highly efficient defence. It would have been easy and not without logic to cast aside the 30-plus brigade of Lee Dixon, Nigel Winterburn, Steve Bould, Martin Keown and Tony Adams - surely soccer's most valuable 'donkey.' But Wenger immediately realised their playing worth and also their value in preserving the traditions of Arsenal at a time when he was intent on assimilating a phalanx of foreigners. True, the mix took time to fully blend. And there were occasions, not least the dismal run before Christmas which culminated in a home defeat by Blackburn, when even chairman Peter Hill-Wood admits he raised a questioning eyebrow at Wenger's recruitments. But, in the perverse world of soccer, it was after that truly demoralising defeat that the team finally clicked. Anxiety and indecision were replaced by confidence and freedom. Indeed, the team conspired almost overnight to find a common, glorious, exhilarating purpose with Petit and Vieira, Bergkamp and Overmars, providing the vision, the deft touches and the subtle routes to goal which allowed Arsenal to become, not just the most effective side in the Premier League, but also by far the most exciting. Any team which reels off 12 consecutive victories to clinch such a competitive and committed league is truly one of rare quality. To Wenger's abiding credit he has done it by spending, in comparison with soccer's present climate of money madness, a pittance. Which ironically is all strangely reminiscent of a time back in 1925 when Arsenal posted an advertisement in a publication called Athletic News for the post of manager which read: ''Only people who will not spend big money on transfer fees need apply.'' Herbert Chapman got the job, went on to become the greatest manager in their history and his bronze bust is the first thing that greets visitors to Highbury's Marble Halls. His team won three consecutive championships and on present form even that feat does not look beyond Highbury's French master. Then it won't be "Arsene who?" It will be Awesome Wenger.

ARSENE WENGER FACT FILE   1949 Born Strasbourg, October 22. 1969 A sweeper-defender, starts his amateur playing career with Mutzig, a French League Third Division outfit. Goes on to have spells with two more amateur clubs - Mulhouse and Vauban - before turning professional. 1974 Graduates with a degree in economics from Strasbourg University. 1978 Makes professional debut for Strasbourg against Monaco. 1979 Wins French title with Strasbourg but plays only three matches during the season. 1981 Obtains manager's diploma in Paris. Appointed Strasbourg youth team coach. 1983 Becomes assistant coach with Cannes. 1984 Appointed coach of Nancy but club are relegated. 1987 Appointed Monaco coach. 1988 Wins French championship and manager of the year award. 1989 Monaco finish second in League, make European Cup quarter-final and lose French Cup final. 1990 Monaco come third in League and are European Cup semi-finalists. 1991 Wins French Cup but come second in the League. 1992 Monaco beaten by Werder Bremen in European Cup Winners' Cup final, finish runners-up in the League and reach the French Cup final which is then cancelled because of a stadium disaster at Corsican club Bastia. 1994 Is offered jobs as French national coach and Bayern Munich manager but has to reject both because of Monaco commitments. Reaches Champions League semi-finals and is named best manager in France, based on his record over the past five years. Then, sensationally, is sacked by Monaco after a disappointing domestic campaign. 1995 Takes charge at Japanese outfit Grampus Eight on a reported salary of £700,000 and lifts them out of the bottom three of the J League to runners-up spot and Emperor's Cup. Named Manager of Year. 1996 Wins the Super Cup and takes Grampus Eight to second place in J League. Becomes manager of Arsenal on September 28. 1997 Leads Arsenal to third place in Premiership and a place in the UEFA Cup. 1998 Reaches FA Cup final and wins Premier League championship with new club record of 10 consecutive League victories.

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