Arsenal unveil Arsene Wenger statue at Emirates as Mikel Arteta leads tributes

28 July 2023 , 13:08

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Arsenal unveil Arsene Wenger statue at Emirates as Mikel Arteta leads tributes

Arsenal have unveiled a statue of their legendary former manager Arsene Wenger outside their Emirates Stadium.

The Frenchman was manager of the north London club between 1996 and 2018, winning three Premier League titles – including an unbeaten league campaign – in addition to seven FA Cup crowns and two decades of participation in the Champions League.

Wenger was a pioneering figure not just at Arsenal but in English football with his understanding of sport science playing a huge role in the evolution of the Premier League. He was in the Arsenal dugout for 1,235 matches and established the club at the top table of English and European football.

Wenger guided the Gunners to the Premier League title in 1998, 2002 and 2004 - the latter of which came in a remarkable 38-match unbeaten league campaign. They also won the FA Cup on seven occasions, in 1998, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2014, 2015 and 2017.

The Frenchman - who was appointed at Arsenal following a spell at Japanese club Nagoya Grampus Eight - oversaw Arsenal's transformation not just on the pitch but off it too; leading the club as they moved away from their long-term Highbury home to their new location at the Emirates.

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“It’s such a great tribute that the club has done something special for Arsène that he fully deserves and merits,” Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta told Arsenal club media. “With a statue now at the stadium, Arsène can have that recognition and be here at our club forever.

Current Arsenal boss Arteta was a player under Wenger at the club (Getty Images)

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"I’m so grateful to have played for Arsène 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."

Arsenal’s Executive Vice Chair Tim Lewis has said: “We’re delighted to recognise and celebrate Arsène Wenger's outstanding leadership and career at Arsenal Football Club. Arsène’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 Arsène now stands outside Emirates Stadium. It is a place where our supporters and all who visit Emirates Stadium can be reminded of Arsène's contribution and his legacy."

Colin Millar