Mikel Arteta issues classy response to Arsene Wenger’s comments over Arsenal return

Mikel Arteta has made it clear Arsene Wenger is welcome back at Arsenal.

Wenger left Arsenal after a legendary spell in charge in 2018, finishing his managerial career after 22 years with the Gunners.

These days, the Frenchman, as well as working for FIFA, is a pundit on BeIn Sports, and he recently spoke about how he has not been back to the Emirates Stadium or London Colney since walking away from his job.

“I haven’t been there since 2018. After 22 years as manager, maybe I arrived at the end of the road and people wanted a change,” he said, as cited by talkSPORT.

“The club had chosen a different direction and I can understand that completely. Sometimes you need to have a completely new staff and my presence there could have been a problem.

“So I stayed away completely to give the club the chance to rebuild a new connection with a new manager. That’s why I never talked about Arsenal and never came back to the Emirates because I didn’t want to be a presence that is maybe not good for the club.

“But I still feel that my life is definitely linked with Arsenal so now I support them from my TV and I am also very busy travelling the world for FIFA.”

Unai Emery succeeded Wenger, but he did not last too long, with current boss Arteta coming in to replace his fellow Spaniard in 2019.

Arteta, who played for Wenger at Arsenal, has received high praise for his work so far, and during his latest press conference, he was asked about Wenger’s comments.

He responded by inviting Wenger back to north London, saying: “I would love to [see him back at Arsenal], I think he has explained it.

“I think he has every window, every door in this football club open whenever he is ready and whenever he feels is the right moment to do so.

“He knows that from my side and he knows that from many other people at the football club. And hopefully that will happen soon, because I think he will inspire and a lot of people are going to be so happy to see him back.”