Mikel Arteta hopes to bring former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger back to the Emirates in some capacity after revealing on Thursday that initial talks had taken place. The Frenchman won three Premier League titles and seven FA Cups during his 22-year spell in charge of the London club, which ended in 2018. One of his most striking achievements was completing the 2003-04 EPL season unbeaten—the last time Arsenal were crowned English champions. Current manager Arteta, who played under Wenger, is keen to have the former manager’s expertise available to him and confirmed the pair had a conversation on the matter when they met at the premiere of Arsene Wenger: Invincible—a documentary about his ex-boss.

The Spaniard was asked on Thursday if a formal offer had been made. “There has been communication,” he said. “I saw him and talked to him when we went to see the film. It was incredibly pleasant to see him and chat to him—and hopefully we can bring him close. I think he will have a great time just seeing the environment that he can create around him [and] around this place. Because of the respect and admiration that everybody at the club has for what he’s done.”