Arsene Wenger has thanked AS Monaco for giving him the chance to manage at the highest level.
The Arsenal boss spent seven years with Monaco between 1987 and 1994, winning one Ligue 1 title and one French Cup, before eventually finding himself in north London in 1996.
As Wenger prepares his Gunners side for the Champions League Round of 16 first leg at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night, the Frenchman said he was grateful to Les Rouges et Blancs for giving him a start.
"It was the start of my career and I didn't know how long I'd be in the job or where I would be," Wenger told Arsenal's official website.
"It was my first chance to be in a big club, I was very young and you're always grateful for that.
"It's interesting. I'm happy that Monaco are back at the top level but I've been manager of Arsenal Football Club for 18 years and I'm focused on just qualifying for the quarter-final against a good side."
Since taking over at Arsenal in the summer of '96, Wenger has led the Gunners to three Premier League titles, five FA Cups and five Community Shields.
