Arsenal have ruled out Arsene Wenger returning to the club following talks with their former manager last year.
Mikel Arteta said last year that he would like Wenger to return to Emirates Stadium in some capacity and Arsenal technical director Edu also held talks the Frenchman over a comeback.
Wenger has not been back to Arsenal since his departure in 2018 after 22 years in charge.
The 72-year-old has been FIFA’s chief of global football development since November 2019.
Arteta said last year that he wanted Wenger to return to Arsenal in some capacity and that he wanted him to become “much closer”.
The pair spoke about the premiere of Wenger’s film, ‘Invincible’, and Arteta said: “There has been communication, and I saw him and talked to him when we went to see the film.
“It was incredibly pleasant to see him and chat to him. Hopefully we can bring him close, because I think he will have a great time just seeing the environment he can create around him and around this place.”
But currently Arsenal have no plans for Wenger to return in a formal role.
In a meeting with supporters at a recent fans’ forum, Arsenal chief executive Vinai Venkatesham was asked if there has been any communication between the club and Wenger since November, and if the club shared Arteta’s desire to bring him back.
Minutes of the meeting read: “Vinai responded that there is nothing but love and admiration for Arsene from the club.
“He is always welcome here, but of course with his new role at FIFA he is in Zurich, and travelling, much of the time.
“There are no plans for a formal role. He believes Mikel was responding to media asking if he would like him to be around which of course we would.”
