Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
COME BACK, BOSS
Arteta: I’d love to have Arsene close to me at Arsenal again... it would be brilliant for the club
MIKEL ARTETA wants to bring Arsene Wenger back to Arsenal and said he would be “delighted to have him much closer”.
The Gunners boss even revealed that he has spoken to Wenger about making a return in some capacity in the future.
The former Arsenal manager has not even been back for a game at the Emirates as he was left heartbroken by his departure in 2018 after 22 years at the club.
Arsenal have already made overtures about building a new statue, giving Wenger an honorary role at the club and are hoping the affection shown towards their greatest ever manager around his newly released film about the Invincibles may also help to build bridges.
Arteta, who was captain under Wenger during his playing days, insists he would welcome his input in any form.
Arteta said: “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 that we would be delighted to have him much closer.
“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 and, hopefully, we can bring him close.
“He will have a great time seeing the environment that he can create around him and around this place.
“Because of the respect and admiration that everybody at the club has for what he’s done – and as well for what he represents as a person in this club – I cannot tell you what role, but I would like him to be much closer personally to me.”
Arteta has insisted that he would not have a problem with Newcastle boss Eddie Howe (below) making an early return to the dugout for the visit of Arsenal tomorrow as long as all the Covid protocols have been followed. Howe tested positive last Friday and would normally have to self-isolate for 10 days.
But if symptoms can be traced back previously, he may be released early and take charge of the Newcastle team in person rather than from a hotel room as he did last Saturday.
Arteta tested positive for Covid at the start of the pandemic and Arsenal were also beset by coronavirus issues at the start of the season.
But Arteta said: “I am sure they will be aware of all the protocols that they will follow. “I don’t know every single detail, but I am sure, if Eddie is on the touchline, it is because he has been through everything necessary and he is entitled to be there.”