Arsene Wenger has return to Arsenal for the first time since leaving the club in 2018 to attend the clash at the Emirates Stadium between his former side and West Ham United. The iconic manager spent 22-years with the Gunners, winning several major honours before quitting the role.
The 73-year-old is yet to take a step back into management since leaving the North London club, currently holding a role as FIFA's Chief of Global Football Development. The Frenchman was a key figurehead for the global footballing body during the recent Qatar 2022 World Cup, giving some talks over findings during the competition.
Talk over Wenger and his tenure at Arsenal have been mooted soon after his exit, though it was clear that the job to succeed him would be tough. Unai Emery was the first to be given a chance to bring success back to the club, but the Spaniard was dismissed early into his second season.
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Former midfielder Mikel Arteta was then given the opportunity, with plenty of doubt over his ability to take the side back to the top. His plan has taken a while to develop, but for the first time since those Wenger days, the Gunners have looked like title contenders once again this season.
It has since seen a spike in conversations surrounding Wenger at the club, who has previously tipped the side to be involved in a title clash. "[Arsenal are] the second-best team to have a good chance to win the Premier League because Man City at some stage will focus highly on the Champions League," the Frenchman told beIN Sports earlier this season.
Wenger also claimed that the likes of Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea wouldn't be involved, while not giving a prediction on Tottenham due to his allegiances to Arsenal.
Even Arteta has discussed the desire for his former boss to return in some capacity, telling reporters: "I would love to [see him back], 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.”
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