Arteta would like to see former boss Wenger return to Arsenal

Mikel Arteta won the FA Cup twice as a player at Arsenal when Arsene Wenger was in charge of the club.

Wenger managed 1,235 games as Arsenal manager. [GETTY]

Wenger currently works for Fifa as chief of football development.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta insists that he would like to see former Gunners boss Arsene Wenger back at the Emirates.

The Spaniard, who played under Wenger for five years at the Emirates, wants his former coach to hold a position at the club and revealed that he has already spoken to the Frenchman about a return.

Wenger led Arsenal to three Premier League titles and won seven FA Cups during his 22-year stint at the club, but he currently works for Fifa as chief of football development.

"We would be delighted to have him much closer," Arteta, Arteta, who replaced Unai Emery as Gunners boss in December 2019, said as BBC Sport reported.

When quizzed if there had been a formal offer made to bring Wenger back, Arteta replied: "There has been communication.

"I talked to him when we went to see the film [the premiere of the documentary about Wenger] and it was incredibly pleasant to see him and chat to him, and hopefully we can bring him close.

"I cannot tell [what role Wenger would take if he returns to the club].

"What I can say is that I would like him to be much closer, personally, to me because I think it would be a great help, I think 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 say, I think, on behalf of everybody, is that we would be delighted to have him much closer."

Arsenal are currently fifth in the Premier League table after 12 games and they play Newcastle next on Saturday.

Follow Think Football Ideas across our social channels, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.