In historical context, Arsenal are "financially doped". It would have been some achievement (in the negative sense) for Arsenal to drop out of the top 4 given all the finances that have been funneled their way, via rule changes etc., over the many years prior.
Rodgers mounted a title challenge right to the final day of the season whilst spending less on a lesser team. I can't remember the last time Wenger managed that.
I think since the Prem has started for Net spend we are like 16th in the league or something ridiculous. To do that and win 8 trophies, building the stadium we did during the economical crisis at the time, with hardly any money to spend.
Spurs have spent much more money than Arsenal, couldn't stay in the top 4, Liverpool over the years have spent more money than Arsenal, couldn't stay in the top 4, Chelsea have spent waaaay more money than Arsenal and managed to drop out of the top 4 in recent times and United this season.
So you can belittle the achievment of him getting it for 17 seasons in a row, but I think we all know it is harder than it seems.
Spurs Won the league cup however many years ago, I bet they would have prefered a top 4 finish then and a shot at the champions league? same with Liverpool in 2011/2012.
So I know everyone takes the piss out of Wenger for what he said, but he was exactly right, 4th place is much more important than the league cup at least, so therefore is better than a trophy. The fact everyone hangs on that is just stupid imo. Everyone knows what he meant by what he said, but they still use it as a stick to bash him with.
You mention Liverpool this season, the liverpool that had no other competitions to trouble them for a large chunk of the season?
Wenger spent more time at 1st in the league, Won the Fa Cup and made the Champions league again. Trying to make Liverpool's achievments more than than what Arsenal have done this season on a 'Lessor' budget, are you taking into account what they spent the seasons before to make the current team they have?
Anyway, you can bash Arsenal and Wenger, but there are two ways to look at it, the very narrow minded way where the only thing that matters are trophies, or you can take into consideration everything that has happened in the period we didn't win anything and understand why we couldn't match the Chelseas, Man Uniteds and Man Citys.
I don't think it is a coincidence that now we are more 'financially free', that we have now Won a trophy. I hope it is the first of many, but we have to wait and see.