ARSENE WENGER will not return to the dugout until Arsenal’s trip to Munich on February 15.
But whether he enjoys getting out of jail in time for mighty Bayern remains to be seen — the Allianz Arena is hardly a happy hunting ground.
The Gunners boss will again sit in the stands at the Emirates on Tuesday for their league clash with Watford, then when they go to title rivals Chelsea on Saturday.
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Wenger completes his ban against Hull before Arsenal bid to end their Champions League last-16 jinx.
But the Frenchman, 67, insists only his worst enemies think he got off lightly by dodging a stadium ban — and reckons they just want him thrown in the slammer!
Asked about his suspension after the Gunners thumped Southampton in the FA Cup, Wenger said: “I do not judge what the judge says.
“I got a sentence and decided not to appeal just to get this behind me.
“Those who don’t like me, any sentence will be too lenient.
“They would like to put me in jail somewhere without anything in the middle of winter — and that will still be lenient.”
Wenger also forgot to mention about the prison key being thrown away — Mourinho and Tottenham fans would then be happy.
While Wenger serves his time, the Gunners’ next three games will shape their domestic season — and his team cannot afford to drop points with Prem leaders Chelsea eight points clear of them.
Whether a touchline ban makes any difference is up for debate. In reality, it does not.
Wenger, who watched his team rip apart the hopeless Saints from the stands, knows he is lucky to have avoided a stadium ban for showing official Anthony Taylor.
And the Gunners remain a decent bet to win the Cup for a third time in four seasons.
After a festive wobble, they return to Premier League action on Tuesday night sitting in second — and in the last 16 of both the FA Cup and Champions League.
Although the Gunners have been dumped out by German giants Bayern on the last three occasions they met in the Euro knockout stages. They have also gone out in the last 16 for past SIX seasons.
While Wenger is unlikely to do any transfer business in the next 24 hours, the return of Danny Welbeck in a major boost.
While doubts remain over the defence, there is no doubt the team’s collective firepower is strong.
They have scored 81 goals in 33 matches — spread across 14 players.
Making a first start since returning from his latest injury, two-goal Welbeck was outstanding on the South Coast, while Theo Walcott scored a hat-trick to bring his tally to 14 for the campaign.
Wenger added: “Welbeck gives us more quality going forward. Against Southampton we started Perez, Walcott and Welbeck — and I had Sanchez on the bench.
“It is exceptional. For a long time we did not have the offensive quality available. We have many strikers as Perez played very well, too, and I left Giroud at home. “
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Welbeck enjoyed a dream start with a fine chip to open the scoring, and got a second by putting the ball through keeper Harry Lewis’ legs.
Walcott turned in a cross from Welbeck for 3-0 and then grabbed two more from Sanchez assists.
Welbeck grinned: “It was good to be back after such a long time out.
“I have experience of coming back from injury, so I knew what to expect, but it’s a tough time.”
Another comeback kid on Saturday was Saints defender Florin Gardos — playing his first match in almost TWO YEARS.
The Romanian, 28, who had been sidelined with a knee injury, said: “I’m disappointed by the result but happy this moment finally came.”
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