Arsenal legend Keown expresses concern over Wenger return | OneFootball

Arsenal legend Martin Keown has warned Arsene Wenger could undermine Mikel Arteta's authority.

The Spaniard recently stated that he would love Wenger, who managed the club for over 20 years,to return to the Gunners.

"Hopefully we can bring him close, he will have a great time around this place," said Arteta ahead of Arsenal's 2-0 home victory against Newcastle on Saturday.

"I can not tell you now, but he would be a great help for the club. Things take time. We would be delighted to have him much closer."

Speaking to BT Sport ahead of the Newcastle win, Keown said: "I wonder whether Wenger might have said to him, 'Why are you not playing Tierney this week?'

"I wonder if he would've said, 'Why is Lokonga playing?' Because I admire that he [Arteta] wants to stick with players, that's what he wants.

"I'm not saying he's blinkered. He's saying I believe in you enough to play you again. Whereas I feel it's very unfortunate for Tierney because he's one of Arsenal's very best players.

"And I think it might affect Tavares' development but I think that call has to be made and it's not been made today."

However, Keown thinks Wenger should return to the club in some capacity.

"I think the hand of friendship has been offered from the manager, and I think that's an intelligent to do," Keown added.

"It doesn't sit well with me that Arsene Wenger doesn't sit round the table anymore of this football club he's pretty well helped to create, this incredible stadium that we sit in he's not been back here in three-and-a-half years.

"That just seems to be a sensible fit for the club. If Arsenal is a family, as we call it, then yeah, bring him back and welcome him."