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Mikel Arteta, manager of Arsenal, has opened up about the surprise return of former boss Arsene Wenger for their Premier League win against West Ham.
The Frenchman had been away from his post since the end of the 2017-18 season.
Not only was Wenger’s return unexpected to fans, but also to players, such as Bukayo Saka who has never had the opportunity to meet him.
It looked like this could have been Arsenal’s first home defeat until Said Benrahma scored an equalizer from a penalty spot.
Then thanks to three second-half goals and Eddie Nketiah, (who was awarded his senior debut by Wenger) they were able to complete an amazing turnaround and claim victory over West Ham.
“No, the players didn’t know,” Arteta said when asked about Wenger’s presence. “We wanted to keep it quiet and allow that space for Arsene. A very special day, thank you so much to him for coming.
“Hopefully walking through the building he’s going to feel everything that he left here as well. His presence is something that has to be very, very attached to this football club so thank (him) for doing that because it means a lot for everybody at the club.
“I’ve been involved in the process (of bringing him) but it’s about him, the timing he needed to make that step and hopefully he’s going to leave here and be willing to spend more time with us and be around us because he is such an influence. For me personally, in my career, the way I see the game but as well for this football club.”
Early on in the match, it seemed like Arsenal had taken the lead, but unfortunately, their goal was called off for being offside.
However, a penalty awarded to West Ham left them behind 0-1.
Nonetheless, Arsenal responded strongly with Saka, Martinelli and Nketiah all scoring goals to secure the win for them in the second half.
“Obviously it’s great,” Arteta added. “Winning, my mood, it’s going to be much better to speak to him [Wenger] and be around the team.
“So, yeah, he picked the right moment, a really special day because Boxing Day is a beautiful day to play football and I thought the performance was at the level today that we deserve, and hopefully he will like it.”
Arsenal recorded their fourth consecutive victory when they beat Burnley on Sunday. This result lifted Mikel Arteta’s side seven points clear of Newcastle United, who had also won earlier on in the day.
If Manchester City wins at Leeds United later in the week, the gap can be reduced to a five-point margin.
