‘He plays for the badge’: Arsene Wenger name ONE Arsenal Star that will win the LEAGUE for Arteta next season – NOT Martin Ødegaard
Arsenal executive vice-chair Tim Lewis has opened up on what was said during discussions between Arsene Wenger and Bukayo Saka after the pair’s first meeting last year.
After spending four years away from the Emirates following the end of his 22-year reign as Gunners boss, Wenger returned to the red half of north London for the first time on Boxing Day of last year for Arsenal’s clash against West Ham. Under the watchful eye of the Frenchman, the hosts toppled the Hammers 3-1.
Come full-time, Wenger was invited down into the home dressing room to spend time with his former player and current Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta and the players. One Gunners star who was particularly excited to see the three-time Premier League winner was Saka..
The England international has previously gone on the record with his desire to meet Wenger, with their paths never having crossed while Saka was part of the Arsenal academy
Shortly before their encounter at the Emirates, Saka revealed: “One of my biggest regrets, well not regrets, but something I haven’t been able to do, was to meet Arsene Wenger.”
Gunners chief Lewis has since shed light on how the interaction unfolded. “It was great to take Arsene down to the dressing room,’ Lewis told The Telegraph
“Bukayo [Saka] didn’t know him but he called him ‘boss’ immediately. He said, ‘Boss, how can I improve?’ – [and] Arsene very dryly said, ‘I think you could use your right foot a bit more’.”
Saka was tipped as one of the Arsenal academy’s most exciting prospects while Wenger was at the helm, but he didn’t make his first-team debut until Unai Emery was in charge the campaign after the Frenchman’s departure.
The 21-year-old was not the only Arsenal ace Wenger got up with back in December, with club captain and former Real Madrid man Martin Odegaard also enjoying a chat with the Gunners icon
“It was difficult [trying to convince Odegaard to sign for Arsenal]… I talked to him when he was 15-years-old,” Wenger admitted. “I actually spoke with him about it after the game on Boxing Day.
“I was desperate to sign him. Luckily he is here now. He is really like a young Cesc Fabregas. I think he has developed to become a complete player.”
Arteta has long been vocal about his wish to have Wenger closer to the first-team at Arsenal, but as of yet the ex-Gunners boss continues to keep a healthy distance from goings on at the Emirates. He has not been spotted at any games since Boxing Day, but did recently admit he thinks his former side will win the league next season.
