Sunday concludes the 2017-18 English Premier League season, which also means it marks the finale of the league's longest-coaching tenure.
When the full time whistle blows between Arsenal and Huddersfield Town, the 22-year reign of Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger will cease – and likely never be outdone. And while the French coach has delivered three league titles, though none recently, he's transformed the London club into one of the most recognizable brands on the planet.
In a modern era of expensive transfer fees and rapid coaching turnover, Wenger prioritized youth development and long-term consistency. The former economist tried keeping costs lower and gave homegrown talent an opportunity for success.
Current Futbol Club Cincinnati right back Justin Hoyte was one of those homegrown talents.
Joining the Arsenal youth academy at 9 years old, Hoyte was there pre-Wenger and eventually worked his way into the first team on an annual basis. Reflecting on his time following FC Cincinnati's practice Wednesday, the defender said Wenger's changes and influence are far greater than any score lines could reveal.
"It was a massive transition," Hoyte said. "I was a young kid at the time, but seeing how Arsenal developed under him is completely different from how it used to be. ...Nutrition, diet, the speed the way Arsenal used to play, the way he coached, the players. Everything was set out and he completely changed the whole structure, even through the youth team."
Progressing through the youth academy, Hoyte also played for the English youth national team at multiple age levels. On May 3, 2003, he made his Premier League debut as an 18-year-old in a 6-1 Arsenal home win over Southampton. Hoyte was subbed on in the 89th minute.
The following season, he made two League Cup appearances and was a late sub in an EPL match once more. That Arsenal squad was the only Premier League club to ever finish a season unbeaten.
"He gave me my Arsenal debut, ya know?" Hoyte said. "In that sense, I have to look at him and say thanks to him, because without him, I wouldn't of had that. At that time, he kept pushing me forward and pushing me into the first team and gave me the opportunity to play in the first team for the team I love. So for that, I thank him."
Even when Hoyte's time was limited due to considerable depth at right back and he went to Sunderland on loan, he returned to Arsenal and Wenger openly told the press he wanted Hoyte to fight to make the starting lineup.
Between 2003-2008, when he made 34 league appearances and played in the UEFA Champions League as a 20-year-old. Hoyte was one of the young, promising English players in the Premier League. He also became the first Englishman to score at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium in a 4-0 win over Charlton Athletic in 2007.
Eventually, though, he left Arsenal in 2008 for Middlesbrough, another EPL side. Bacary Sagna and Emmanuel Eboué, the two right backs Hoyte competed with for appearances, combined to feature in 345 Arsenal league matches. Hoyte made 83 total EPL appearances.
"There's a lot of players who might not have made it at Arsenal who are still playing in football," Hoyte said. His own brother, Gavin, played once for Arsenal and just finished his season with Eastleigh FC in the English lower leagues. "And no matter what happens, even if they don't make it at Arsenal, they're still making their living or career out of football and doing something they love.
"He guided them. ...There's a lot of players that have come through Wenger that people wouldn't realize even started at Arsenal. He's done a fantastic job with the youth team, with the first team, with the reserve team and all the teams, really."
As for Hoyte, who continued playing in England, the 33-year-old has made 28 total United Soccer League appearances for FC Cincinnati since he arrived in March 2017. This season, he's started in eight of the club's nine USL matches and has earned three clean sheets.
Cincinnati, which lost 4-1 to Charlotte Independence on Saturday night, sits first in the Eastern Conference standings for the first time in the club's three-year history.
Hoyte, who said he might become a coach in a few years, said he still remembers the advice Wenger shared with him from his time at Arsenal.
"He always told me to play free and just enjoy the game," Hoyte said. "The more I get older, the more I understand that."
It's evident the defender's playing style, which provides reliable defending, in addition to an offensive aspect that regularly sees Hoyte joining in on attacking chances or goal-scoring opportunities.
The former Arsenal man still keeps his boyhood club close. He said personal pride and passion for the London team will always remain, regardless of who he's currently playing for. And as Hoyte knows, the departure of Wenger doesn't mean the end of Arsenal.
"I used to be a part of the team," Hoyte said. "I was there for a long time. I was part of the youth team, part of the first team. So for me, it's a great club. And I was there when Arsene was there. Obviously I'm not there now, but he's a part of what made me the person I am today in football."
SOURCE: cincinnati.com