Arsenal the love of my life but I’m not going back – Wenger

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 23 May 2023 08:47 CDT
• 2 min read

Legendary Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has scotched rumours that he might one day return to the club.

Wenger had been linked with a return to the Emirates Stadium in some capacity when Mikel Arteta came under pressure before Christmas. He even hinted there might be some interest.

With the situation apparently stabilised Wenger has indicated that he will not be returning to the North London side.

“It’s been a love of my life. You can’t do the same thing twice,” he told BFM Business before reaffirming his commitment as FIFA’s head of global football development.

“I remain a supporter of Arsenal. It is the club of my heart. I worked there for 22 years. I hope that the suffering at the start of the season is just a small episode. I will continue to support them in any way I can.

“Today, I am active in sharing what I have learned in my life and gives a chance to all the children in the world. Because there is a gulf between the situation in Europe and in the rest of the world at this level.”

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Wenger joined Arsenal as a left-field appointment in 1996 and would not leave until 2018.

He enjoyed a storied period in charge of the club, which saw them go through something of a golden era competing with Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United at the top of the Premier League table.

Wenger led Arsenal to three league titles, capped by the famous ‘Invincibles’ in 2003/04 – the last time the club won the title.

Under his stewardship, Arsenal also reached the 2006 Champions League final, in which they led Barcelona 1-0 while playing with 10 men for a long period before buckling towards the end of the match.

As such, he remains a legendary figure in the history of the club.