Arsene Wenger arrives in Liberia to receive country’s highest honour from president George Weah

Arsene Wenger arrived in Liberia on Wednesday evening, with the ex-Arsenal boss set to be handed the country’s highest honour from president George Weah.

Wenger, who ended his 22-year association with the Gunners in May, will be inducted into Liberia’s Order of Distinction.

It comes after Weah, the former World Footballer of the Year who was elected as his country’s leader last year in a landslide victory, decided to honour both Wenger and another coach, Claude Le Roy.

Wenger, 68, was given a warm welcome when he touched down in the town of Harbel shortly after 9pm, and is set to become a Knight Grand Commander of the Humane Order of African Redemption.

According to information minister Eugene Nagbe, Wthe Frenchman has been awarded the distinction because he “has contributed to sports in Africa and has given many Africans opportunities”.

Le Roy discovered Weah when operating as Cameroon manager in the late 1980s.

Upon Le Roy’s recommendation, Wenger signed Weah when manager of Monaco in 1988, paying Cameroonian club Tonnerre Yaounde £12,000 for the striker.

Weah, now 51, has labelled Wenger as one of the most important men in his career.

In a 2007 interview with the Telegraph, Weah stated: “Arsene Wenger made me not just the player I am today but the man I am.”

The award ceremony will take place in the country’s capital, Monrovia, on Friday.

However, Weah’s decision to honour Wenger has been widely-criticised by his government’s opposition.

MP Darius Dillon said: “The nation’s highest honour cannot be given to somebody who has not done something directly for the country.”