ARSENE WENGER and Santi Cazorla are reportedly set to return to the Emirates in the summer for a farewell match at the club’s annual pre-season tournament.
The duo both departed North London in 2018, with Wenger stepping down from his managerial role, while Cazorla was released having went the season without an appearance.
Neither man has been to the ground since, though Cazorla – now starring at former side Villarreal – has made no secret of his desire to return.
According to the Daily Mail, Arsenal have already made contact with Wenger as they look to welcome back their legendary ex-gaffer.
And speaking at a fans forum last week, the club’s head of football operations Raul Sanllehi declared that the Gunners want to give Cazorla the opportunity to say goodbye.
It has been stated that there are hopes that Villarreal will be the side that is selected to face Arsenal before the start of the next campaign.
Cazorla, 35, has chipped in with an incredible 12 goals and six assists in 27 games this term, with the player set to be named in Luis Enrique’s Spain squad for Euro 2020.
But while he has thrived playing back in LaLiga after leaving Arsenal, his final two seasons in England proved to be a nightmare.
GUNNER COME HOME
A seemingly innocuous injury against Ludogorets in the Champions League on October 19, 2016 was the last time he donned the famous red jersey, but he still harbours hopes of playing at the Emirates.
Speaking to the Independent in November, he said: “When you are at a big club like Arsenal, sometimes you dont realise what it means to be there until you are gone.
“I never got to say a proper goodbye. It was the biggest team I played for in my career and I miss everything about Arsenal.
“I dont know what my legacy is there, you would have to ask the fans, but I want to say thank you to them all. I would like to play at the Emirates one last time before I retire.
I dont know what I will do afterwards – maybe a coach, maybe a sporting director – but I would love to go back to Arsenal.
“I lived in London for six years. My son loved it there. In the future, we will see if I have the possibility.
And while there could be a reunion between Cazorla and Arsenal, Wenger and David Dein are set to link up once again for one night only in April.
Wenger will be reunited with former Arsenal vice-chairman Dein at the London Palladium on April 27 for a special Q&A session.
Arsenal legend Ian Wright co-hosts the night with former Womem’s star Alex Scott, while club supporter Dermot OLeary will put the questions in a fundraiser for Deins Twinning Project, which helps offenders get back in employment through football.
