Mikel Arteta was warned against bringing Arsene Wenger back to Arsenal but the current Gunners boss still wants to see the legendary manager return to the Emirates
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Arteta invites Wenger to return to Arsenal in some capacity
Mikel Arteta has reaffirmed his desire to see Arsene Wenger back at Arsenal despite warnings about bringing the former Gunners boss back to North London.
After Arteta had hinted that Wenger, who managed Arsenal for 22 years, could be in line for a role at the Emirates, ex- Chelsea striker Tony Cascarino said he “couldn’t understand” the current Gunners managers’ thinking.
Following his side’s 2-0 victory over Newcastle United on Saturday, though, Arteta doubled down on his plan to bring back the Frenchman, whose long Arsenal tenure ended in 2018.
“I think me personally, everybody who works here and everybody at the club, what we feel towards Arsene is gratitude,” the current man in the Emirates hot seat explained.
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“Me the first one, because if not I wouldn’t be sitting here. What I’m saying is that I think he would enjoy to see a little bit more around.
“I know he needed the space but just being around and having the feeling of how much people love him, I think it would be great for him.
“The rest? I don’t know what is going to happen.”
Arteta, who spent four seasons under Wenger, was then asked if the 72-year-old’s knowledge of the game would be a bonus for him.
“Absolutely. Imagine for me?” he responded. “With somebody who has been here 23 years. And I know him well. Time will tell.”
Discussing the Spaniard’s previous comments – which were made on Thursday – regarding a potential return for Wenger, Cascarino told talkSPORT : “You have to ask the question, ‘why would he want that?’
“And if it’s for leaning on Arsene for certain stuff that he might feel is very important as a prolific winner in football in Arsene… it’s a tough one.
“There’s a lot of fear with people about someone who’s come in when the end is bad, but nearly the end in everything you do in life is quite bad, isn’t it?
“Even if you work, it just comes to a natural end. I sort of understand it.
“I don’t quite understand why he would want that – that’s my only problem – apart from leaning on someone with great knowledge of the game.”
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However, Gunners icon Martin Keown agrees with Arteta’s line of thinking.
“I think the hand of friendship has been offered from the manager and I think that’s an intelligent thing to do,” Keown told BT Sport.
“It doesn’t sit well with me that Arsene Wenger doesn’t sit round the table of a football club he pretty much helped to create. This incredible stadium that we’re sat in – he hasn’t been back here in three-and-a-half years.”
Keown went on to say: “It definitely seems to be the sensible fit for the club. If Arsenal is a family, as we call it, then bring him back and welcome him.
“Where it’s in a proper role is another matter, that’s something that needs to be looked at. But I think it’s right and proper to bring him back in.”
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