He had also made it clear before his resignation as manager that he hoped the club would hold onto Birchall beyond the striker’s initial loan period, which expired on Saturday.
The chairman had offered Birchall an opportunity to stay until the end of the season, but the player has decided to return to Arsenal instead.
"I feel I had settled in here, but in the light of the uncertainty surrounding a new manager I made my mind up to return to Arsenal," said Birchall.
After the 2-1 win at Leyton Orient, Wycombe’s temporary caretaker player manager Keith Ryan was asked if Birchall had a future with the club, beyond Saturday. "I’m not sure if he’ll stay or go but he’s been a fantastic asset to the club over the past three months," he said.
Birchall scored five goals in fifteen appearances. Fortunately for Wycombe, top scorer Nathan Tyson scored for the first time in ten league games, at the weekend. Craig Faulconbridge was also named among the substitutes for Keith Ryan’s first game in temporary charge, after a long spell out through injury.