Arsenal are ready to build an Arsene Wenger statue outside the Emirates Stadium as soon as 2023, according to a report.

The Telegraph report that Arsenal are now ready to build a statue for Arsene Wenger at the Emirates Stadium, potentially as soon as next year.

Arsenal currently have four statues outside the ground, with Herbert Chapman, Thierry Henry, Tony Adams, and Dennis Bergkamp all recognised by the club.

But whilst there has reportedly never been any dispute over Wenger’s status among the club’s greatest-ever figures, the manager is yet to have his Arsenal tenure celebrated in the same way.

It seems Wenger’s return to the Emirates Stadium on Monday has helped to kickstart that process.

Since leaving Arsenal back in 2018, Arsene Wenger hadn’t returned to the club for well over four years. Not just in an official capacity, but the manager also hadn’t attended a game as a fan.

Explaining that decision, Wenger said he was trying to avoid becoming a distraction, allowing the club “a chance to rebuild a new connection with the new manager”.

But Mikel Arteta has always insisted he’d like to see the 73-year-old back in the stands and inspiring the players.

Arteta got his wish on Monday night, as Wenger decided to turn up for Arsenal’s win over West Ham United. It looks like the next step is to immortalise the manager outside the ground.