It has been just over four years since Arsene Wenger took charge of his final game as Arsenal manager, although I don't think many would have expected him to stay away from the club since.
Speaking about life post-Arsenal, Wenger said he would be in the stands like any other fan, but he is yet to show his face home or away. This is a man who was in charge of the Gunners for 22 seasons, winning three Premier League and seven FA Cup titles in the process. Despite all of the criticism that came his way towards the end of his tenure, he was and always will be a legend of the club.
So the question is - Why? Why has he decided to keep his distance all this time? Well, speaking at the promotion of former vice-chairman David Dein's new book, Calling the Shots, Wenger shed light on the reasoning behind his decision. "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.
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"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."
Wenger then reiterated that he still has a connection with Arsenal, while admitting that his job with FIFA has been a distraction. "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."
Although it's sad to know Wenger feels that way, current Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has already made his feelings on the situation well known, passionately urging the 72-year-old to return in some capacity. "There has been communication, and I saw him and talked to him when we went to see the film (Arsene Wenger: Invincible)," Arteta said earlier this year.
"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. I think it would be a great help, and it would be a great help for the club. Things take time and I think he has to dictate those timings. What I can say is from my side and I can talk, I think, on behalf of everybody that we would be delighted to have him much closer."
As Arteta said, it's all about finding the right time for Wenger and that's a call only he can make, but it's become apparent that he does not need to worry about his presence being an issue any longer. After a turbulent few years filled with change and uncertainty, stability is now very much in place. So in fact, there's probably not a better time to return than right now. The team is top of the league, supporters are happy and there's a real sense of positivity and optimism surrounding the club.
Wenger's return doesn't have to be in a formal capacity, nor does it have to be linked to a new role. That's not the route to go down. What has become clear, however, is that his presence, knowledge and expertise would be hugely beneficial. Like Arteta, I would just like him to be more connected, to be there in times of need, to be that person who creates that spark of motivation and hope. Whether he turns up now or later down the line, it really would be a welcome development.
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