Arsène Wenger is a true Arsenal London legend. The Frenchman sat on the Gunners' bench for almost 22 years, during which time he won numerous trophies with the north London club. A statue of Wenger was erected in front of the Emirates to commemorate the distinguished Arsenal coach.

Arsène Wenger was Arsenal's manager from October 1996 until May 2018. During his time in London, the Frenchman won the Premier League three times, in the 1997/98, 2001/02 and 2003/04 seasons, with the third title being the most spectacular, as the Gunners never once suffered defeat in this competition. Something that had only been achieved once in English football - 115 years earlier with Preston North End. 

The Premier League commissioned a unique gold trophy to commemorate Arsenal's achievement of winning the league in the 2003/04 season without defeat. Wenger received the cup as a farewell gift from the club after his last home game as manager on May 6, 2018. The French coach also reached for the FA Cup, in the 1997/98, 2001/02, 2002/03, 2004/05, 2013/14, 2014/15 and 2016/17 seasons, as well as the Community Shield, in 1998, 1999, 2002, 2004, 2014, 2015 and 2017. Arsenal also spent 20 consecutive seasons in the Champions League under Wenger, including reaching the final in 2006, where they were beaten 2-1 by Barcelona at Stade de France. The Frenchman led the Gunners in 1,235 matches.

© Paul Hudson (cc: by)

During Wegner's tenure, the north London club changed stadiums. In 2006, it left the distinguished Highbury, where it played from 1913 to 2006, to move to the modern Emirates. The former venue now no longer exists and its stands have been converted into a residential and office complex. A statue of the club's celebrated coach has just been unveiled in front of Arsenal's current home.

A 3.5-metre statue of the 73-year-old holding the trophy for winning the Premier League, created by award-winning sculptor Jim Guy, was erected outside the North Bank Stand on July 28. His statue joined five others - Tony Adams, Dennis Bergkamp, Herbert Chapman, Ken Friar and Thierry Henry - on the podium around Emirates Stadium.

Wenger was the club's guest of honour at Wednesday's Emirates Cup match against Monaco and saw his statue in person. Current Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, who played for the Gunners from 2011-16, said: It’s such a great tribute that the club has done something special for Arsene that he fully deserves and merits.

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