Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says he would be 'delighted' if Arsene Wenger became involved at Arsenal again.

The Spaniard says he's open to the his former boss returning to the club, having spent 22 years in charge of the north London outfit.

Wenger has spoken of the distance between himself and the club since his departure in 2018.

But Arteta says there has been communication about Wenger getting involved again, in some capacity.

"We would be delighted to have him much closer," Arteta said ahead of this weekend's Premier League clash with Newcastle.

"I think he would have a great time just seeing the environment that he can create around him when he's around this place because of the respect, admiration and the love that everybody at the club has for what he's done, as well as for what he represents as a person."

Arteta says he spoke to him at a recent premiere of the documentary about Wenger.

"I talked to him when we went to see the film and it was incredibly pleasant to see him and chat to him, and hopefully we can bring him close,"

"What I can say is that I would like him to be much closer, personally, to me because I think it would be a great help, I think it would be a great help for the club," he said.

"Things take time and I think he has to dictate those timings. What I can say is from my side and I can say, I think, on behalf of everybody, is that we would be delighted to have him much closer."

Wenger is currently employed by FIFA as chief of football development and has been to the fore in advocating for a controversial change in the footballing calendar, including a biennial World Cup.