Dein considering Wenger tribute

Arsenal are to consider installing a replica of Arsene Wenger alongside the historic bust of Herbert Chapman at their new stadium in recognition of the most successful manager in the club’s history.

Wenger has now matched Chapman’s achievement of three league titles, although the former Arsenal great had sadly died by the time his team completed their own treble in the 1930s.

Moreover, he has ensured that the Gunners can compete with, and currently outperform, clubs with much greater financial muscle such as Manchester United and Chelsea.

Vice-chairman David Dein concluded simply: “Arsene is, without doubt, the most successful manager in the history of Arsenal Football Club.”

Asked about the possibility of a bust of Wenger at the new Ashburton Grove stadium, he added: “I think it’s something we will have to think about very seriously as he has revolutionised this club.”

Not that Dein is expecting Wenger to move on just yet, with the Frenchman having previously vowed to sign a contract extension that would see the club into their new ground.

“Obviously, with what he’s done for the club and the quality of the players he’s brought in, we want him to stay,” declared Dein.

“He’s brought in players that no-one had heard of before and he’s made them into world-class players.”

No wonder, therefore, that the Arsenal board believe the Frenchman is as important to the club as Alex Ferguson has been to Manchester United over the past two decades.

“If you get the right manager, the job is pretty easy after that. But it’s also down to how astute you are in the transfer market and his eye for players,” added Dein.

When Wenger first arrived at Highbury in 1996, having been lured from Japan by Dein, he arrived to headlines of ‘Arsene Who?’

Now, however, the placard at White Hart Lane among the Arsenal faithful as their side secured the title with four games left read simply ‘Arsene Knows’.

So he does, at least if the astute signings of Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira, Sol Campbell, Freddie Ljungberg, Kolo Toure and Nicolas Anelka are anything to go by.

There have, almost inevitably, been a handful of expensive errors, most notably Francis Jeffers for around £10m (€15m).

However, Dein observed that, in real terms, Wenger had spent less than £40m (€60m) since he arrived, with much of his outlay recouped in sales, such as that of Anelka to Real Madrid for a £22.5m (€33.7m) profit.

“I remember those headlines when he arrived. In October 1996, nobody had heard of him, but he’s changed the whole dynamics of the club,” he added.

“Arsene is highly intelligent, a great tactician, has an extreme knowledge of players from around the world and one of his main skills is, of course, his man-management.

“This is the most exciting and talented Arsenal side. It has been a privilege to watch such breathtaking football this season.”