Arsenal legend Tony Adams finds it ‘sad’ he’s been denied an opportunity to coach his beloved Gunners under Arsene Wenger.

The teak-tough centre-back, who many believe has been the club’s greatest defender in its long and illustrious history, respects the Frenchman and believes there should be a statue built to honour Wenger.

However, he also believes Wenger has prevented him from rejoining the club he captained with distinction across three decades – because of the long-serving manager’s stubbornness and refusal to deal with strong characters that speak their mind.

Speaking exclusively to Archant’s Arsenal reporter Layth Yousif the icon said: “I think it’s sad – because I do think I could have been of service.

“I think if Arsene swallowed a little bit of his pride – and maybe a touch of arrogance – I think we could have been a good combination, but I’m not so sure he wants that.

“Every time I’ve tried to get back to Arsenal the door’s been closed in my face – and I’ve now moved on with my life because ‘she’ doesn’t want me back.

“You’d have to ask Arsene why that is. I’m still waiting for that phone call – but I know it’s not going to come.

“Is it because he doesn’t like to be challenged? I don’t know.”

Adams has been reflecting on his experience under Wenger after the Frenchman was appointed as manager in the autumn of 1996.

It was a move that changed the club and brought an unprecedented level of success during his first 10 years, including three Premier League titles, two of which Adams captained.

But when he was asked why Wenger didn’t tap into his vast experience and bring him back into the fold at Arsenal to recreate the success they had together Adams replied: “It’s like an old girlfriend or wife.

“Three times I’ve tried to get back there – but if ‘she’ doesn’t want you have many times do you try and get back with her?”

Adams, who famously dated the model Caprice, believes he would have been a good fit for Arsenal and Wenger in terms of coaching defenders at the club.

The former international centre half who also won 66 caps for England insists Wenger’s side would have benefitted from his defensive know-how.

He also insists that his coaching would have prevented the club suffering heavy defeats to top four sides including the 8-2 thrashing against Manchester United in 2011, a 6-0 reverse at Chelsea against Jose Mourinho in 2014, a 5-1 defeat at Anfield in 2015 and the 4-0 humiliation against Jurgen Klopp’s men during their last league match.

But the long-serving Frenchman does not appear to want him back at the club.

Adams explained: “I love Arsenal and Arsenal fans. I’m certainly not carrying around any resentment.

“It’s really simple – I just think Arsene should have brought someone in to concentrate on the team as financially they are doing well.

“I could have done a good job for Arsene and Arsenal.

“To ask Wenger to do everything is unrealistic. I think he needs a team of people all working together to help him.

“He is quite gifted in knowing a player’s worth and deserves respect for that – but in terms of coaching this particular group of players to go out and get a 0-0 draw at Anfield – well it hasn’t happened.”

Tony Adams and Ian Ridley’s second book after Addicted is Sober – published by Simon and Schuster.