  The generalized linear sigma model for mixing among two- and four-quark
components of scalar (and psedudosclar) mesons below and above 1 GeV is applied
to the $\pi\eta$ channel in which the isovector scalars $a_0(980)$ and
$a_0(1450)$ are probed. In the leading order, the model parameters have been
previously fixed by various low-energy experimental data, and then applied to
$\pi\pi$ and $\pi K$ channels in which the properties of the light and broad
$\sigma$ and $\kappa$ mesons are extracted in agreement with estimates reported
in the literature. With the same parameters fixed in the leading order, in the
present work the prediction of the model for the $\pi\eta$ scattering amplitude
in the elastic region is given and unitarized with the K-matrix method. The
poles of the unitarized scattering amplitude, which determine the mass and
decay width of $a_0(980)$ and $a_0(1450)$ are computed. It is found that the
model predicts an isovector scalar state below 1 GeV, with mass 984 $\pm$ 6 MeV
and decay width 108 $\pm$ 30 MeV which is a clear signal for the $a_0(980)$.
The $a_0$ pole extracted in this work, further supports the plausibility of the
mixing patterns for scalar mesons predicted by this model according to which
there is a significant underlying mixing among scalars below and above 1 GeV,
with those below 1 GeV being generally of four-quark nature while those above 1
GeV being overall closer to quark-antiquark states. Predictions for various
scattering lengths as well as for properties of $a_0(1450)$ are also presented.
