Arteta thrilled by Wenger’s return and “incredible” Nketiah

Mikel Arteta was delighted Arsenal put on a show for Arsene Wenger as the club’s legendary manager returned to Emirates Stadium for the first time since he departed in May 2018. 

Irked by the way his exit was handled and aware his presence could be a distraction for his successors, the Frenchman has, up to now, been reticent to watch the Gunners in person. 

In fairness, as Fifa’s Chief of Global Football, the 73-year-old has also been pretty busy in the build-up to the World Cup but with that out of the way, he finally took up an invitation to sit with his family in the directors’ box. 

It wasn’t until Wenger’s face was flashed up on the big screen in the aftermath of Gabriel Martinelli’s goal that the crowd became aware of his presence. At that point, his name was sung with gusto and the chants continued in the closing stages as Arteta’s players, who were kept in the dark about the visit, rounded off the evening with a 3-1 victory. 

“The players didn’t know,” revealed Arteta in his post-game press conference.

“We wanted to keep it quiet and allow that space for Arsene. Stan and Josh [Kroenke] are here as well and it was a really special day.

“Thank you so much to him for coming. Hopefully, walking through the building he’s going to feel everything that everybody thinks of him, the legacy he left here.”

Arteta also confirmed that he and the players were due to catch up with Wenger in the dressing room.

“Obviously, it’s great winning, my mood is going to be much better to speak to him and be around the team. He picked the right moment, Boxing Day is a really special day, it’s a beautiful place to play football and I thought the performance today was at a level that he deserves. Hopefully, he will like it.

“I’ve been involved in the process [of getting Wenger to visit] but it’s about him, the timing that 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’s such an influence, for me personally in my career and the way I see the game but as well for this football club.

On the pitch, the Gunners produced a swashbuckling second half to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League to seven points.

There was considerable frustration at the break after VAR not only ruled out a goal but also overturned a penalty while also confirming a spot-kick that Said Benrahma despatched past Aaron Ramsdale. But Arsenal were not to be denied the three points as Saka equalised before fellow attackers Martinelli and Nketiah killed the game.

Nketiah’s goal was particularly poignant. All the talk before kick-off was whether the England under-21 international could replace the threat and work rate of the injured Gabriel Jesus. He answered those questions emphatically, spinning in the box before rifling home on the angle. Afterwards, he paid tribute to Wenger; the manager who handed him his debut.

“It’s good to have him [Wenger] back,” said Eddie. “Obviously, he coached me and gave me my debut so hopefully, he’s happy and proud of us all.”

While Wenger will have been pleased to see one of his academy kids doing the business, Arteta was even more so. Reflecting on his striker’s contribution, he said: “It was a great goal but I think overall his performance was incredible.

“The way he understood the pressing, his intensity, the way he counter-attacked certain spaces, the composure he showed. And then he stayed patient. And in the box he produced a moment of real quality to win us the game.”

The boss also reserved praise for Martin Odegaard who was voted man of the match following his brace of assists.

“He was great. Since back in Dubai when we were there, he’s been exceptional. That’s what you want from your leaders, with the important players to have that presence on the pitch. With and without the ball I think he was really good today.”