Wenger broke off from the celebrations at his final home game as Arsenal manager to wish Ferguson a speedy and full recovery after the shock news the former Manchester United boss had undergone surgery following a brain haemorrhage.
Ferguson, 76, is seriously ill after collapsing at home on Friday.
He is in intensive care in a Salford hospital surrounded by wife Cathy and family.
Less than a week earlier he had made a presentation to Wenger to commemorate his final visit to Old Trafford and his erstwhile rival said after the Gunners’ 5-0 win over Burnley: “I would like to send my best wishes to my fellow manager.
“I was with him last week and he looked in perfect shape and he looked very happy. I wish him well and to recover very quickly.”
Ferguson’s former No2 Brian Kidd, now a member of Pep Guardiola’s coaching staff at Manchester City, said: “You think Sir Alex is indestructible, we’ve all been brought up with him.
“What he did for United was unreal and the pressure he was under every day to produce. It’s phenomenal.
“You know him, you lads [the media] have had your run-ins with him but you know where he’s coming from, he wears his heart on his sleeve.
“The opportunity he gave me, I’m always indebted to him.”
Guardiola, whose Barcelona team beat Ferguson’s United in the Champions League finals of 2009 and 2011, said: “All the City fans, you cannot find one person who does not wish the best for an amazing person.
“I was delighted to have dinner with him two weeks ago.”
Former United captain Bryan Robson said: “It did come as a big shock. But from what I’ve heard the operation went well, so hopefully the boss will have a full recovery.
“Everybody respects him highly for what he did in the game. Everyone thinks it was all this ‘hairdryer’ but the boss enjoys a good time, really enjoys his racing and is good company.
“Ron Atkinson brought me to Manchester United but the boss had a big influence on me – and that prolonged my career.”
Messages came from around the world, with the great Pele taking to Twitter with his good wishes.
The 77-year-old wrote: “I woke up to hear that Sir Alex Ferguson is in hospital. A Man Utd man through and through. Get well soon, Sir Alex.”
Chelsea manager Antonio Conte and Liverpool counterpart Jurgen Klopp sent their best wishes after the Blues’ 1-0 win at Stamford Bridge yesterday.
Conte said: “I am very sad. He’s not a normal person.”
Klopp said: “I met Sir Alex after the first game against Roma. He passed my way. I had a few words with him.
“When I heard it yesterday on the way to London I really couldn’t believe it. It can happen to all of us.”
United tweeted last night: “Manchester United would like to thank the wider football world for the messages of support following the news that Sir Alex Ferguson underwent emergency surgery.”
