David Dein has heaped praise on Arsene Wenger after the latter became the longest-serving Arsenal manager.

The former Arsenal vice-chairman was responsible for Wenger's appointment back in 1996 and there were many who questioned his move.

Wenger soon transformed Arsenal and after trophies galore, he has now surpassed the reign of George Allison - who had served as club boss for exactly 13 years up to 1947.

"His legacy will be that he has transformed Arsenal Football Club," Dein told Sky Sports News.

"He has taken it to a completely new level but the style of football has been so entertaining."

Dein admits that despite the uncertainty in England at the time of Wenger's appointment, the Gunners held off strong interest from elsewhere to lure him to North London.

"He was sought after. Bayern Munich wanted him as manager and I am very pleased [to get him], there was a chemistry between us," Dein said.

Dein also admits that Wenger was quick to stamp his authority on the club.

"He changed their diet, training habits - he changed their lives," he explains.

"When you consider in his first full season he won the double, that is a remarkable achievement.

"He can talk about a dozen things apart from football. He has studied medicine, which is why he knows about the anatomy of the body, which is why he knows about injuries, he studied economics - he can read a balance sheet, which is unusual."