David Dein implores Arsenal to bring back club legend Arsene Wenger

Former Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein insists Arsene Wenger has ‘got to be used’ in some capacity by the north London club.

Wenger is one of the most iconic figures in the club’s history having revolutionised the Gunners upon his appointment as manager in 1996.

The Frenchman guided Arsenal to a whole host of major honours including three Premier League titles. He also holds the record for the most FA Cup wins as a manager, with seven trophies to his name.

After the breakup of the infamous ‘Invincibles’ squad of 2003/04, the Gunners went on a steady decline, and they are yet to add another Premier League title to their trophy cabinet since that season.

Wenger’s 22-year spell at the club came to an end in 2020, with opinions amongst the Arsenal fanbase split over the iconic boss.

The 72-year-old, who is now FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development, is yet to even return to the Emirates Stadium as a spectator.

Dein brought Wenger to the club in 1996 but departed himself in 2007, with the former vice-chairman claiming the nature of his exit was similar to that of Wenger’s.

‘He was a miracle worker, and they just let him go,’ Dein told the Daily Mail.

‘He left in a similar way to me. I thought the club owed Arsene a duty of care, at least a discussion.

‘We need a change but how do you want this to be done? Do you want to be involved? What can we do? Would you like a different role, would you prefer to exit elegantly? You must have dialogue. It didn’t happen in my case, didn’t happen in his. And that really hurt him. I would have done it differently.’

Although the legendary former manager has previously said he will never go back to Arsenal in any capacity, Dein thinks Wenger would still be a huge asset to the club.

‘Look, you don’t find a brain like his every day of the week,’ Dein added.

‘He’s an Arsenal man, 22 years at the club.

‘Wasn’t his knowledge worth cultivating? Look at where he is now?

‘So he’s not good enough for Arsenal, but he is good enough to be head of global development for FIFA, in charge of 211 countries.

‘He should have been used by us surely, his knowledge, his skill, his encyclopaedic awareness of players. He’s got to be used.’

Subscribe To ANE Talk Trends On Youtube

Subscribe To All Naija Entertainment On Youtube