Wenger reveals his love for Arsenal made him turn down PSG three times

Arsene Wenger has revealed he turned down the chance to manage Paris Saint- Germain because he “loves” Arsenal too much.

The Gunners boss has been offered the job THREE times, according to French newspaper L’Equipe .

But, asked why he chose to stay in North London rather than accept the role, he said he “wanted to remain loyal” to Arsenal.

The 66-year-old takes his Arsenal side to face PSG in their opening Champions League Group A fixture of the season tonight (Tuesday) as he approaches 20 years in charge of the Gunners in October.

Wenger has been a long-term target for PSG and their wealthy backers, Qatari Sports Investments.

According to L’Equipe, approaches were knocked back in 2011, 2013 and 2014 as he opted to remain at the Emirates.

Asked why, Wenger replied: “Because I love where I am. I know well the owners (of PSG), but I feel always I remained loyal to Arsenal Football Club because I think it’s a club that has the qualities I love. And, that’s why.

“I like to come to Paris. It’s a city I love, it’s my country, a country I love. PSG are a good test for us. They’re a team who are, in France, the team above everyone else.

“In France they always produce good football teams and players, so it’s exciting to come to this city and compare to where we are this season compared to everyone else.”

New PSG boss Unai Emery has endured a tough start to life in Ligue 1, with the champions in seventh after taking one point from their last two games.

Emery was handed the job after winning three successive Europa League titles as Sevilla coach.

And, despite PSG’s relatively poor start to the season, Wenger is expecting a tough test as he looks to guide Arsenal into the last 16 of the Champions League for an astonishing 17th consecutive season.

He said: “I think PSG were missing a number of players (in recent games). They had certain players who joined up a bit later, like us. Similar problems to the ones we face, but we’ll see.

“I think they missed a number of players at the back. They were at the same hotel as us in Los Angeles and Thiago Silva got injured there. He’s an important player for them.

“But they’re clearly superior in the domestic league, so I expect a slightly different PSG in the Champions League.”