A stat recently surfaced saying that if Arsene Wenger were to lose his next 100 games as manager of Arsenal, he would remain their best manager in terms of win percentage.
A great stat which shows the unbelievable impact of his dynasty. But to Gunner supporters, he means so much more than the games and trophies he's won.
He developed his own brand at Arsenal over the course of 22 years. It would be tough and almost unfair to say that a club the size of Arsenal, a side with endless prestige and history, would not be where they are today without him.
Indeed, no man is bigger than a club. This is true. But it's also true that if there were a counter to that, if you were to take an exception to take to a panel of judges, the one case you'd bring as your solid evidence, your go-to, would Wenger and Arsenal.
They are synonymous. You couldn't say that the pair are irrespirable, because in doing so you would be admitting that on some level they are separate entities. That seems just wrong.
But despite this, Wenger will be leaving this summer. It makes you check yourself, think about your age, remember those adolescent days of halcyon Premier League football. Wenger evokes this nostalgia.
Of course, there will be the big hooray of his departure. It will be pedalled out on TV as the main event, producers finding any opportunity to push in the emotional factor onto your screens. Look what it means to the fans, they'll seem to say. Buy into this emotional porn. It's brilliant, and it's live.
Indeed, the club will also be guilty commodifying his departure. They've started already, in fact; each player name on a kit with a personal message on the back of the top. It's not poignant, but past the cynicism, the individual touch is nice. But, as Arsenal fans know, the best way players can tribute the great man, would be to show it on the pitch. If only they did that to begin with.
Topics: Football News, Football, Arsene Wenger, Premier League