Former Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood, who appointed Arsene Wenger, dies aged 82

Former Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood has died at the age of 82, the Premier League club has announced.

Hill-Wood joined the Arsenal board in 1962 and served as chairman from 1982-2013.

Hill-Wood's time at the helm included the club's title-winning eras of managers George Graham and Arsene Wenger.

Arsenal won two league titles, the FA Cup, League Cup and European Cup Winners' Cup under Graham, who was appointed by Hill-Wood in 1986.

Hill-Wood also presided over the appointment of Wenger in 1996. The club won three Premier League titles and four FA Cups under Wenger before Hill-Wood stepped down due to ill health in 2013.

Hill-Wood's involvement in Arsenal had continued a long family tradition. Both his grandfather, Sir Samuel Hill-Wood, and father, Denis Hill-Wood, had previously served as Gunners chairman.

Hill-Wood was also instrumental in the formation of the Premier League in 1992 and he oversaw the north London club's successful move from Highbury to the Emirates Stadium in 2006.

An announcement on the club's website read: "Peter and his family's influence on the club cannot be understated, but at this most difficult time for his family and friends, it is Peter the man who we remember with great fondness. Our thoughts are with his wife Sally and his children Sarah, Julian and Charles." 

- THE TELEGRAPH