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One of the greatest players of all time – Holland legend Johan Cruyff – has revealed why Arsenal would be crazy to get rid of Arsene Wenger.

Cruyff has given the Gunners boss solid backing and says the Arsenal board would be mad to even consider parting company with the Frenchman.

“Wenger will ALWAYS bring the club back to the top,” said Cruyff, who is credited by Pep Guardiola for establishing the La Masia academy at Barcelona, which ­produced Lionel Messi, Xavi ­Hernandez and ­Andres Iniesta.

“There is one ­unwritten law at the highest level of football.

“And that is that all the big clubs, which have become the biggest and most established names in world ­football, have been built on a strong philiosophy of long-term managers.

“They have ­developed talented players at the club and bought players to fit the style of the existing players.”

Wenger has come under fire after his team’s indifferent start to the ­season, which ­included the shock Capital One Cup exit at lowly Bradford.

And they have made their worst start to a Premier League season, leading Gunners fans to turn on Wenger.

But Cruyff has particular praise for Wenger’s Arsenal side of the 90s. They are part of a rich history, which also included the ­Manchester United side of the 1960s under Sir Matt Busby, the Ajax team of the 70s under Rinus Michels, AC Milan in the 80s and, currently, ­Barcelona.

Sir Alex ­Ferguson was also ­mentioned – with Wenger – for the ­success he has brought to Old Trafford over 25 years.

“I have so much respect for the football vision and philosophy at ­Manchester United and ­Arsenal,” said Cruyff. “Both clubs have had the same manager for 15 or 25 years. Alex Ferguson is not only the man who makes sure he ­performs miracles and keeps ­trophies flowing in.

“He – in my eyes – is also the ­symbol of values Manchester United stands for. In the same breath, I speak about Arsene Wenger.

“People do not realise the ­achievement of this manager at ­Arsenal.

“I find it ­incredible that ­Arsenal have stayed at the ­highest level of ­European ­competition and ­England under his management without ever ending up in debt.

“I cannot remember red figures at Arsenal over the last 15 years. How many clubs in Europe can say they have qualified for the Champions League for 16 ­consecutive seasons under the same management? Arsene Wenger has put his life and soul into Arsenal.

“In 15 years, I have not seen him make any ­irresponsible ­purchases in the transfer ­market.

“That is why the work of Arsene Wenger at ­Arsenal is the prime example for every club in ­Europe.

“I cannot even imagine the board or the fans would ever think for a moment of putting Arsene’s position in doubt.”