Arsene Wenger calls England 'paradise' as Arsenal boss flirts with the FA over vacant managerial role

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Arsene Wenger insists England is 'paradise' for him and his football addiction – and that could be what convinces the 66-year-old to become the next Three Lions boss.

The Frenchman celebrated his 20-year anniversary at Arsenal on Saturday and the Premier League club want to tie Wenger down to a new deal, with his contract expiring at the end of this season.

Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke was in England last weekend to watch his club thrash Chelsea at the Emirates but has so far seen his manager resist putting pen to paper.

Arsene Wenger oversees a training session at London Colney on Saturday morning

The Arsenal manager has been celebrating 20 years in charge of the club this week

The opportunity to take over the national team this summer is tempting for Wenger, who admitted to seeing England as his home.

'(It is) the passion for me,' said Wenger ahead of their game against Burnley today. 'It's paradise for football. It's as simple as that.

'It's a country that has a real passion for being together at the spectacle. And football is the biggest one in England.

'If you look at the Olympic Games, England was always sold out. If you look at the darts, it's sold out. It's love. They love it.

Wenger's side return to Premier League action on Sunday when they face Burnley

'I'm here for 20 years. Twenty years, always sold out. Where do you find that? Nowhere.'

The Football Association approached Wenger before they appointed Sam Allardyce, who lost his £3million-per-year job this week following an undercover newspaper sting.

English football's governing body are set to try again and are hopeful that he will at least be open to talks about taking over after Gareth Southgate's interim spell.

Wenger previously pointed out he would not break his £8m-per-year contract at the north London club and so England would have to wait until the summer, when he is a free agent.

The Frenchman officially took charge as Arsenal manager on October 1, 1996

Wenger flirted with the FA at his Friday press conference but could simply be using the speculation to strengthen his bargaining position for if he decides to discuss a new deal at Arsenal.

Whether that is the case remains to be seen.

On Sunday, though, Wenger's priorities are away from England as he travels to Burnley in search of a fifth successive win.

Arsenal have not been beaten since the opening day of the season – a 4-3 loss to Liverpool in the Premier League – and want to be title contenders come May.

Wenger has so far relied on the centre-back partnership of Laurent Koscielny and £35million summer signing Shkodran Mustafi, who he feels has the potential to become an Arsenal great.

Wenger has relied on centre back pairing Laurent Koscielny and Shkodran Mustafi

'Koscielny is the leader because he is captain but Mustafi looks like he is taking leadership as well at the back,' Wenger said.

'Mustafi is a player who is highly focused. On that front he is a typical German. He wants to do the job well every day and he speaks his mind.

'He is vocal in the dressing room. He is not a quiet guy who hides. He speaks out with his opinion and communicates a lot.'

Over his 20 years, Wenger worked with great central defenders, from Sol Campbell to Tony Adams.

Wenger believes Mustafi can join previous defenders Sol Campbell and Tony Adams as a great

Asked whether Mustafi could join that list, Wenger said: 'He has the potential, which is interesting at the moment.

'What makes me positive is he is focused, has the desire to do well, and is 24 years old. So for a central defender that is quite young.

'Let's see how he survives in games like Sunday against Burnley.'

A win would be an appropriate present for Wenger's 20-year anniversary following a Friday press conference that was unusual to say the least.

It started with an acceptance speech fit for the Oscars after Wenger was presented with a crystal vase by Arsenal chairman Sir Chips Keswick and ended with him fluttering his eyelashes at the FA.

For Wenger, it's 20 years down and only he knows whether a 21st will follow.