So the news that Arsene Wenger has decided to stay for a further three years is no great surprise, but welcome nevertheless. It confirms once and for all that he is not reliant on David Dein being directly involved with the club.

Realistically, this has to be the best decision for Arsenal, as Wenger has taken them so far down a particular path (reliance on emerging talent) that to leave at the end of this season would have left the club in a bit of a hole. The players – not least Cesc Fabregas – are more emotionally tied to Arsene than Arsenal. Doubtless they will also be pleased that he is sticking around and maybe, now any doubt is gone, they can continue their encouraging start to the season.

For the man himself, there were only really three options if he did not renew. 1. Have a couple of years at a huge spending club where he is under no illusions about who chooses the incoming players. The benefit is that he has established and experienced talent to work with, and maybe a better shot at the Champions League. 2. International management and a shot at the World Cup. No shortage of suitors there after next summer’s Euros. 3. Retirement. The man is too in love with the game to be able to walk away in my opinion, and he will always have a role of some kind somewhere.

But Wenger has decided to see through what he has started with this post-Invincibles group of players. More than anything, it seems a point of principle that he wants to demonstrate. World Class players are not born overnight. They develop into them. If you are a good enough spotter of potential and able to maximise that, then you can build a team without having to spend stupid money. Even now, with all the money Chelsea have spent, who would neutrals rather watch between them and Arsenal? It’s a no brainer. Money can’t buy you love… or watchable football.

Arsene may have his weakenesses, but as a developer of promising players, there are few equals. His legacy will be the football that his teams have played, and the memories of the great players he has developed through his coaching. The man has changed the face of English football in terms of the fitness and habits of the average Premier League player. Arsenal 2007-08 would wipe the floor against Arsenal 1995-96, mainly in the last 20 minutes of such a hypothetical encounter. That is still happening today against other Premier League teams, a testament to the master’s methods. Many attempt to imitate, but few are as successful.

Gooners everywhere should be delighted that we have the man in charge until 2011.