THIS is the dramatic moment Arsene Wenger and David Dein are caught leaving a private meeting at a north London restaurant.Arsenal boss Wenger and sacked vice-chairman Dein discussed the club's future during a two-hour dinner at The Rotisserie in Whetstone on Thursday.
An eyewitness revealed: "They spent much of the time talking about Arsenal. It was definitely business."
The news will stun Gunners chairman Peter Hill-Wood and the board of directors, who are desperate for Wenger to sign a new contract after they savagely booted Dein out of the club in April.
Dein was dumped because of his support for American billionaire Stan Kroenke's takeover plans-and his departure has sparked intense speculation over Wenger's future.
Our eyewitness added: "Wenger arrived at the restaurant at 7.30pm and asked for a table for two in the back corner.
"Within 15 minutes Dein joined him. Wenger didn't get up. Dein smiled but was not over-friendly and sat opposite the Frenchman.
"The conversation was intense, Dein mentioned ex-skipper Thierry Henry a couple of times and I heard words like ‘plans' and ‘the way forward'."
It's the first time Wenger has been seen with Dein since the former vice-chairman's acrimonious departure from the Emirates Stadium on April 18.
It ended Dein's 24-year association with the Gunners. But since then the 64-year-old has been linked in a dramatic return as part of a possible takeover bid from either Kroenke or Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone.
Former FA vice-chairman Dein has turned down THREE offers from other Premiership clubs in the hope of a triumphant return to Arsenal.
Wenger and Dein both had coffee before leaving the restaurant together at 9.30pm.
When our photographer wished Dein good luck for next season, he replied: "Thank you, we're going to need it!"
Arsenal director and biggest shareholder Danny Fiszman added: "Arsene is totally free to meet who he wants. I am not saying anything more."
Dein persuaded Wenger to join Arsenal from Japanese club Grampus Eight in 1996.