Arteta lauds Gunners for giving “show” in front of returning boss Arsene Wenger

Mikel Arteta says his players gave Arsene Wenger the performance he ‘deserved’ after the former Arsenal manager finally returned to the Emirates Stadium for the 3-1 win over West Ham on Boxing Day. Arteta, who marked his three-year anniversary at Arsenal with a seventh straight home win, said: ‘Arsene picked the right moment. I thought the performance today was at the level he deserved. Mikel Arteta was all smiles as he celebrated Boxing Day with a crucial win over West Ham at Emirates Stadium. On Arsene Wenger being in the crowd tonight, Artita comments:”The players didn't know and we wanted to keep it quiet and allow that space for Arsene here. And it was a really special day - thank you so much to him for coming. Hopefully, walking through the building, he's going to feel everything that everybody thinks of him, everything that he left here. His presence is something that has to be very attached to this football club. So thank you for doing that because it means a lot to everybody in the club. I'm gonna go now to speak to him - hopefully he'll be waiting for us in the dressing room.”