Arsene Wenger returns to Arsenal for the first time since leaving

Contributors: James McNicholas, David Ornstein and Amy Lawrence

Arsene Wenger has returned to the Emirates Stadium for the first time since his departure Arsenal manager in 2018.

Wenger, 73, is in the crowd watching Arsenal Premier league against the match West Ham United on Boxing Day.

Wenger, who managed Arsenal from 1996 to 2018, had previously said he had no plans to follow his old team in action.

But last season current manager Mikel Arteta said he wanted to welcome the Frenchman back to north London.

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Arteta said: Hopefully we can bring him close because I think it would be fun for him just to see the environment he can create around himself when he’s around this place.

This is because of the respect, admiration and love that everyone at the club has for what he has done and what he represents as a person at this club.

Wenger left Arsenal at the end of the 2017–18 season, ending a 22-year reign as manager.

He left the club a year before his latest contract was due to expire.

Since leaving Arsenal, he has worked at FIFA and is currently Head of Global Football Development Governing Bodies.

Arsenal are currently riding high in the Premier League and can extend their lead at the top of the table to seven points with a win tonight.

Arsenal won FA Cup Under Arteta in 2020, but have not won the league title since Wenger left the club.

Wenger guided Arsenal to domestic glory in 199798, 200102, 200304. The third of these successes was the most famous when Arsenal won the title without suffering a single defeat.

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(Photo: Getty Images)