Arsène Wenger says French presidential candidate Emmanuel Macron has impressed him by getting to the final round of the country's elections.
Macron, 39, launched his liberal, pro-European party En Marche ! in April 2016.
The former investment banker and finance minister will face off against far-right politician Marine Le Pen in the second round of the election on May 7.
"It is really impressive, because at 38 years of age, to move away from a party and to create his own movement and to be successful," Wenger told The Independent. "I did not think he would have a chance. Because in history, nobody became French president without having a big party behind him."
Wenger, who has faced protests at Arsenal this season for perceived underachievement, has a degree in economics from the University of Strasbourg.
The Arsenal manager is in the final year of a contract that expires at the end of this season. Arsenal has made the FA Cup final against Chelsea on May 27 at Wembley but faces a challenge to qualify for next season's UEFA Champions League.
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