ARSENAL are preparing to build an Arsene Wenger statute outside the Emirates Stadium.
The legendary manager made his first return to the club after four-and-a-half years away on Boxing Day.
Wenger, 73, sat in the stands to watch the 3-1 comeback win over West Ham having steered clear since leaving the Gunners in 2018.
And his shock visit looks set to coincide with plans for a permanent reminder of the Frenchman at their North London home.
According to The Telegraph, the project for the Wenger bust could start as early as next year.
Former manager Herbert Chapman as well as iconic ex-players Thierry Henry, Tony Adams and Dennis Bergkamp already have statues outside the ground.
READ MORE ON ARSENAL
But the club have been keen to add Wenger to the collection for his heroics in 22 years in charge.
He managed 1,235 matches and led the club to three Premier League titles – including the Invincibles season of 2003-04 – and seven FA Cups.
He turned down advances from Manchester United, Barcelona, Real Madrid and the England national team to stick with Arsenal until 2018.
However, his departure came under a cloud as he felt pushed out by some inside the club.
Most read in Football
HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
Four years on, one of his former captains Mikel Arteta is now the gaffer and Invincible Edu is in a sporting director role.
Together with former vice-chairman David Dein, they convinced Wenger to accept the invitation to return to the club – and he was greeted with a wonderful reception from the Arsenal fans.
The players did not know about the surprise visit – but were delighted to see Wenger in the dressing room after the win, with a beaming Bukayo Saka finally meeting Le Professeur.
Arteta said of Wenger’s appearance: “I’ve been involved in the process but it’s about him, the timing he needed.
“Hopefully he’s going to leave here and be willing to spend more time with us because he is such an influence: for me personally, in my career, the way I see the game, but as well for this football club.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
