Statue Of Former Arsenal Boss Arsene Wenger Unveiled Outside Emirates Stadium

Arsene Wenger, a former manager of Arsenal, is depicted in a bronze statue outside the Emirates Stadium lifting the Premier League championship trophy.

Wenger led the Gunners to three Premier League crowns and seven FA Cup victories between October 1996 and May 2018.

During his tenure in north London, the Frenchman oversaw 1,235 games and contributed to the team’s league-record league win in 2004.

Arsenal also participated in the Champions League for 20 consecutive seasons under Wenger making it to the 2006 championship game before losing to Barcelona 2-1.

Jim Guy, an accomplished sculptor, erected the 3.5-meter-tall statue of the 73-year-old near the North Bank Stand on Friday morning

Arsenal executive vice-chairman Tim Lewis told the Gunners’ website: “We’re delighted to recognize and celebrate Arsene Wenger’s outstanding leadership and career at Arsenal Football Club.

“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.”

Wenger will be the club’s guest of honour for the Emirates Cup match against Monaco on Wednesday and is due to visit the statue in the coming days.

His statue joins five others – featuring Tony Adams, Dennis Bergkamp, Herbert Chapman, Ken Friar, and Thierry Henry – on the podium around the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, who was signed by Wenger in 2011, said: “It’s such a great tribute that the club has done something special for Arsene that he fully deserves and merits.

“With a statue now at the stadium, Arsene can have that recognition and be here at our club forever.

“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.”