Arsene Wenger returns to The Emirates for the first time since Arsenal exit for win against West Ham
ARSENE WENGER returned to the Emirates for the first time since May 2018 for the visit of West Ham.
It is the first match the former manager has attended since leaving as manager.
And Wenger was there to see a display he would have been proud of.
After going 1-0 down, Arsenal roared back in the second half with goals from Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Eddie Nketiah sealing a 3-1 win.
The victory fired the Gunners eight points clear of Man City before their nearest title rivals play their first game since the World Cup.
Wenger spent 22 years in North London managing Arsenal between 1996-2018.
He left after failing to qualify for the Champions League for the second time in as many years.
He was replaced by now Aston Villa boss Unai Emery, with Mikel Arteta taking over from the Spaniard in 2019.
Arteta played under Wenger as captain at The Emirates and his team has traits of the Frenchman’s eye-catching style of play.
Wenger, 73, won ten major trophies with Arsenal playing an attractive, possession-based brand of football.
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Arteta has tried to emulate his old boss and recently spoke of his desire for Wenger to return to the club.
He said: “Hopefully we can bring him close because I think he would have a great time just seeing the environment that he can create around him when he’s around this place.
“That is because of the respect, admiration and love that everybody at the club has for what he’s done and for what he represents as a person in this club.”
Arteta was even branded ‘Wenger’s son’ during his time at the club as a player by his fellow team-mates.
Speaking after the win over West Ham, Arteta said: “Arsene picked the right moment. I thought the performance today was at the level he deserved.
“The players didn’t know. It was a special day, so thank you so much [to Arsene] for coming. Walking through stadium he’s going to feel what everyone thinks of him…he’s been such an influence.”