'He is Arsenal' - Jack Wilshere backs Mikel Arteta's desire for Arsene Wenger to return

The Gunners' legendary manager left the club in 2018 after 22 years at the helm.

Three years on, current boss Mikel Arteta has revealed that he's spoken to Wenger about the possibility of a return in some capacity.

"Hopefully we can bring him close," he explained at his pre-match press conference on Thursday.

"I think he would have a great time just seeing the environment that he can create around him when he is around this place because of the respect, admiration and the love that everybody at the club has for what he has done and as well for what he represents as a person in this club."

Arteta was unable to give anything away as to what kind of role Wenger would have.

"I cannot tell you now but 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 great help for a club.

"Things take time and I think he has to dictate those timings and what I can say from my side I think on behalf of everybody that we would be delighted to have him much closer."

Wilshere reacted to these comments on talkSPORT Drive and said: "He obviously is an Arsenal man.

"He built that training ground, he knows everything that happens there.

"He's built it into a successful place where winning was just the way of life.

"He created that winning mentality, so I think Mikel - I read his comments, he said he wants him close to him.

"I think that would be a good move because he's an Arsenal- - he is Arsenal!

"When I was growing up, I used to think Arsenal was called Arsenal because of Arsene Wenger.

"When anyone, especially in my era, thinks of Arsenal, it's Arsene Wenger.

"I think it would be a good thing to have him back at the club."