Arsene Wenger eyes return, claims he misses 'Wet Wednesdays at Stoke'

Former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is ready to return to football manment and resume battle with that stubborn coat zipper, claiming he misses "wet Wednesdays at Stoke". Frenchman, who turned 70 earlier this week, ended his 22-year reign at Arsenal at end of last season after capturing three Premier League titles and seven FA Cups with Gunners. But during a visit to Tokyo, Wenger told AFP that absence had t diminished his passion for game and revealed he has had "offers from all over world" during his hiatus.

'I am a guy who can take pressure quite well'

"I refused until w to come back because we had some family sickness problems," he said in an interview. " offers always came in at a moment when I couldn't really do it or didn't want to do it." Wenger, who coached J-League club Nagoya Grampus before joining Arsenal in 1996, has previously been linked to Japan national team job. Asked if he might be tempted in future, Wenger said: "I can envis everything- I loved being in Japan. I don't rule anything out." Wenger, in Tokyo in an advisory role on plans for a new stadium in capital, is looking to return to dugout early next year, though insists he is undecided about his next destination.

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He admits, however, that he misses manment- even those freezing, rainy nights in such unglamorous climes as Stoke or Bolton, where his artisans at times came unstuck against rrn grit. "I liked it personally," he smiled. "Because I come from an area (rast France) where we had wet Wednesdays as well- yes, I miss that! "You miss contact with people, being in same boat -- sharing emotions, sharing winning and losing," added Wenger. "I'm a guy who can take pressure quite well, because I did that my whole life, so I miss that." 

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'Different landscape'

One position he did appear cool on, however, was French national side, ting achievement of Didier Deschamps in winning last year's World Cup in Russia. "I turned that down a few times," said Wenger, who was recently linked with Lyon. "I prefer club football. For me it's a bit part-time national team- it's 10 games per year. I'm used to 60, so I was never really a big fan of it." Wenger denied that he has spent his time moping around house anying family members.

' landscape of football has changed'

", I'm quite surprised," he said. "I've enjoyed a little bit more time, more freedom- it was first time in 35 years that I woke up in morning and didn't have to go somewhere." Wenger, meanwhile, blamed intense media scrutiny of modern-day football and trigger-happy owners for making job increasingly precarious. "re are some things I don't miss," he shrugged. " scrutiny and definite conclusions after every game is much worse than before," added Frenchman. " landscape of football has changed in last 20 years, owners have changed- it's more investment, more calculation. At end of day you cant change your manr every week."

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Wenger, who tipped Premier League leaders Liverpool to break ir 30-year title wait this season, also explained one of football's great mysteries- why he could never do his jacket zip up. "My coat was very long and usually I put it on when I was already freezing," he said with a laugh. "Sometimes my hands were very cold. Also because you don't focus on your zip, you focus on game- but maybe I'm a bit clumsy as well." 

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