• Two weeks to the January 22 inaugural ceremony in Monrovia, Arsene Wenger has shared his delight at former protégé George Weah’s presidential ascent.

    Arsenal manager Wenger told the BBC that he has been invited by the president-elect Weah to his inauguration later this month.

    "I have been invited by George to come to the day where he will be the President," he said.

    Wenger who was Weah's manager at French side Monaco between 1988 and 1992 expressed his excitement about the invitation but also said he might miss the ceremony.

    "I believe I will be busy but if I am suspended (for his comments on referees) I will have time to go."

    Wenger is facing a Football Association disciplinary hearing for various comments he made about referees in recent weeks.

    Weah’s life is a film

    "What's important is when you look at his life, and I think the life of this guy is a real film, it's unbelievable. You can make a fantastic film.”

    Wenger spotted Weah, aged 21 at the time, playing for a team in Cameroon. He later brought him over to Europe where he would play for AS Monaco. He later went to play for Paris Saint Germain, AC Milan, Chelsea, Manchester City and Olympique Marseille.

    The Arsenal boss admits he is still puzzled at how the young man who was a bit lost when he first went to Monaco went ahead to become “the best player in the world in 1995 and today becoming the president of his country.”

    He describes Weah as a person full of love for his country and for his people.

    "I went with George through the period where there was war in Liberia and I saw how much he suffered for his country,” Wenger added.

    "Now he's president of his country - it's an unbelievable story. But it's down to the fact that one thing that was common in George's attitude is being strong mentally, absolutely unbelievably convinced that he has a mission,” Raidió Teilifís Éireann quoted Wenger.

    "I wish he has a happy presidency and I would like to say this guy is an example for everybody who plays football today."

    Weah will succeed Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Africa's first elected female president after winning a presidential run-off poll last month. He garnered more than 60% of the vote beating his opponent, the country’s vice president Joseph Boakai.