Mikel Arteta believes it was the “proper second” for Arsene Wenger to make his long-awaited return to Arsenal on Boxing Day.
The legendary Gunners supervisor was in attendance for the 3-1 victory over West Ham, the place the north London aspect returned to Premier League motion in fashion to clinch a fourth consecutive league win.
Wenger’s return to Emirates Stadium was vital because it was his first journey to the membership since leaving in 2018, which introduced an finish to a 22-year tenure.
Whereas he endured a frosty reception from the followers within the latter levels of his spell on the membership, Wenger was serenaded by the Arsenal devoted in the course of the comeback victory, the place second-half targets from Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Eddie Nketiah clinched all three factors.
Although it has taken time for Wenger to return to his former searching floor, Arteta believes Monday’s match got here on the best time.
“Successful, my temper goes to be a lot better speaking to him and to be across the staff,” he advised reporters.
“He picked the precise second, a extremely special occasion as a result of Boxing Day is a fantastic day to play soccer and I believed in the present day the degrees had been what he deserved and hopefully he’ll like.
“The gamers didn’t know [about it]. We wished to maintain it quiet and permit that area for Arsene. Stan and Josh [Kroenke] are right here as effectively and it was a extremely special occasion.
One Arsène Wenger pic.twitter.com/agQln82HFC
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) December 26, 2022
“Thanks a lot to him for coming. Hopefully strolling by means of the constructing he’s going to really feel all the things that everyone thinks of him, the legacy he left right here.
“He’s very, very connected to this soccer membership. Thanks to him for all the things he did on the membership.
“Hopefully he’s going to depart right here and be keen to spend extra time with us and be extra round us as a result of he’s such a giant affect for me personally in my profession, the way in which I see the sport, however as effectively for this soccer membership.”
Arsenal spherical off 2022 with a visit to Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday, then start the brand new 12 months three days later at dwelling towards Newcastle United.