Arsenal Honour Legendary Manager Arsene Wenger

Arsenal fans have gained themselves a new selfie opportunity this weekend, as the club have finally unveiled the long awaited bronze statue of legendary former manager Arsene Wenger at the Emirates Stadium.

Wenger's incredibly long spell at Arsenal was undoubtedly hampered by the building of the new stadium, but having overseen a complete cultural and structural overhaul given his own personal vision of how the sport should adapt and improve, in his 1996 to 2018 reign, he took them to three Premier League titles and seven FA Cups.

For those who like a flutter and a small bet on their football, Mikel Arteta probably will not yet be getting comparable free bets and odds to Wenger's time in charge given his own success, but last seasons unexpected performance levels where they lost out on the title late on in the season to Manchester City, should certainly see odds spike this year on their potential finish, and match day odds will be improved on the back of that for those who do not want to punt so far into the future.

They are spending in the search of greater success, and that will be represented by the bookies.His new statue commemorating his success, features him holding aloft the Premier League trophy and the 3.5 metre construct is now in place outside of the North Bank Stand.

It becomes the sixth statue situated around the ground to recognise pivotal figures from our history. The now 73 year old currently serves as FIFA's Chief of Global Football Development, but he will be a guest of honour for the upcoming home friendly against one of his former clubs, Monaco, and there are bound to be plenty of photo opportunities as he welcomes the arrival of the statue that honours his 1,235 matches in charge - and not least the 2003/04 title winning campaign which saw Arsenal go through the season unbeaten.

He also achieved Champions League football for 20 consecutive seasons.As the sixth statue, he now joins Tony Adams, Dennis Bergkamp, Thierry Henry, Herbert Chapman and Ken Friar in being suitably honoured.

Having struggled to replace Wenger, despite the issues he himself was having at the club in his final few years he was clearly that important to them still, Mikel Arteta's second place finish last year actually represents their best Premier League finish since Wenger left the club, not least that next season will see them back in the competition for the first time since he left as well.

Executive vice chairman Tim Lewis said of Wenger."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."

For many in the wider world of football, there is probably a reverse irony at play that Arteta has picked up and started to rebuild Wenger's success given it was Wenger who actually signed him back in 2011 and made him such a pivotal part of the side.

"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."

You do not necessary have to be an Arsenal fan to know how he played his part in revolutionising the modern game, and for that, he will always be remembered - even if some opposition fans would question if he was capable of seeing that.