Arsene Wenger discussed his fears for foreign players in the Premier League if Britain was to leave the European Union back in April, and now he's put his anti-Brexit stance in writing.
The longtime Arsenal manager is one of 140 European figures to lend his signature to a letter which implores the British public to vote 'Remain'.
He is joined by fellow veteran French footballing figure Gerard Houllier as well as one of his own players - german defender Per Mertesacker is also against the United Kingdom saying "Auf Wiedersehen" to the EU.
The text of the self-described "love letter" reads:
'Sir, – Three European citizens, an Austrian, a Frenchman and a Greek, got together one evening and wrote a short letter to the British people.
‘We were not trying to sell a position or buy favours. It’s not a tract or a manifesto, and it’s certainly not a lecture. You can call it a love letter, if you will.
‘We shared our letter with people across Europe, people who have distinguished themselves in all sorts of different activities, Nobel Prize-holders and international footballers, great writers and scientists, film directors and composers, architects and mathematicians.
‘We were not surprised when they signed it too. We believe that the sheer variety and number of signatories demonstrates the point we set out to make in our letter: just how wide and deep is the affection felt for Britain across our shared continent. Below you can read our letter and its signatories.
‘All of us in Europe respect the right of the British people to decide whether they wish to remain with us in the European Union.
‘It is your decision, and we will all accept it. Nevertheless, if it will help the undecided to make up their minds, we would like to express how very much we value having the United Kingdom in the European Union.
‘It is not just treaties that join us to your country, but bonds of admiration and affection. All of us hope that you will vote to renew them. Britain, please stay.’
Speaking to the Guardian in April, Wenger argued that a Brexit could potentially impact the Premier League and the European players who play in it.
He said:
"It raises many questions. Will the European players be considered as they are now? For example, if England votes for Brexit, will the French be considered like South American players [who require work permits]?
"That would completely re-question the influx of foreign players".
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