Arsenal set to welcome back Arsene Wenger and Santi Cazorla for farewell match in Emirates Cup this summer

  • Arsenal bosses are keen to get Arsene Wenger back to the Emirates this year
  • There are also plans to give Santi Cazorla an opportunity to say goodbye
  • It would be Wenger's first official appearance since his departure in 2018 

Arsenal are planning to welcome back legendary boss Arsene Wenger and former fans favourite Santi Cazorla back to the Emirates for a farewell match ahead of next season.

Sportsmail understands Wenger has already been contacted about the possibility of making his first official attendance at the Emirates since his 22-year reign came to an end in 2018.

Likewise, head of football operations Raul Sanllehi told a supporters forum last week that the club want to give former playmaker Cazorla, whose career at Arsenal was ravaged by injury, a opportunity to say a proper goodbye fans and there are hopes to host his current club Villarreal for a pre-season friendly.

Arsenal are planning to welcome Arsene Wenger to the Emirates for the first time since 2018

Arsenal are planning to welcome Arsene Wenger to the Emirates for the first time since 2018

The annual Emirates Cup would provide an opportunity to face Villarreal but with Arsenal unsure of whether they may have to play in European qualifiers in the summer, the club are yet to cement their pre-season plans. 


Wenger has said he will always be an Arsenal fan, but has previously been reluctant to return to the Emirates following his acrimonious departure.

He left a year before his final contract was due to expire after he was hounded out by angry supporters.

However, senior figures at the club have been keen for him to return and help unify the supporter base behind Mikel Arteta.

Arsenal's performances have improved since Arteta's arrival, however they only sit ninth in the Premier League.

There are also plans to give Santi Cazorla an opportunity to say a proper goodbye to fans

There are also plans to give Santi Cazorla an opportunity to say a proper goodbye to fans