Arsenal have unveiled a statue of their former manager and Premier League Hall of Fame inductee Arsene Wenger.
The 3.5-metre high bronze statue depicts Wenger lifting the Premier League Trophy, which he did three times at Arsenal in 1997/98, 2001/02 and the Invincible season of 2003/04, when his team went the whole campaign unbeaten.
The statue is situated outside Emirates Stadium, which Arsenal moved to while under Wenger, and which many see as his biggest legacy.
“We’re delighted to recognise and celebrate Arsene Wenger's outstanding leadership and career at Arsenal Football Club,” Arsenal’s executive vice-chair Tim Lewis told the club's official website.
“Arsene’s contribution to, and achievements with, the club mark him out as the club's greatest manager. He treated the club and its supporters to many trophies and fantastic memories and brought a revolution in the running of the club, an unbeaten season and the move to Emirates Stadium.
"It is fitting, therefore, that as a mark of the club's enduring respect and gratitude a magnificent statue of Arsene now stands outside Emirates Stadium. It is a place where our supporters and all who visit Emirates Stadium can be reminded of Arsene's contribution and his legacy."
Forever Arsène. Forever Arsenal. pic.twitter.com/gdzJfEhhq7
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) July 28, 2023
Current Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was brought to the club as a player by Wenger.
“It’s such a great tribute that the club has done something special for Arsene that he fully deserves and merits,” said Arteta. “With a statue now at the stadium, Arsene can have that recognition and be here at our club forever.
"I’m so grateful to have played for Arsene at this club in my career. He chose me to be one of his players and selected me to be the captain of the club and that's something I will never forget."
As well as his success in the Premier League at Arsenal, Wenger became the most successful manager in the history of the FA Cup, winning the competition a record seven times.
He was also instrumental in the design and building of the club’s present training ground at London Colney.
Wenger himself will see the statue in person when he attends Arsenal’s friendly with Monaco, another of his former sides, on Wednesday 2 August.
