Arteta appointed Arsenal boss

Arsenal have named Mikel Arteta as the new Arsenal Head Coach on a three and a half-year contract.

Arteta has stepped down from his role as Assistant Manager at Manchester City to take over from Unai Emery, who was sacked in November.

It has been made well known that the Arsenal board was interested in making Arteta manager back in May 2018, following the departure of Arsene Wenger, before Emery was appointed Head Coach. But 18 months later, the Gunners have their man.

The Spaniard, 37, is now one of four managers in the Premier League to manage a club that they also represented as a player, after Eddie Howe, Frank Lampard, and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Arteta’s appointment has divided opinion among the Arsenal fanbase. Some worried over his lack of managerial experience, some on the other hand excited for a new era of the club.

Regardless of what side of the debate supporters are on, there’s no doubt Arteta has an extremely large task on his hands.

Arteta helped Arsenal win 2 FA Cups during his 5 seasons at the Club
Credit: Arsenal FC

The former Spanish U-21 star will be left without a recognised left-back following injuries to Kieran Tierney and Sead Kolasinac until the New Year.

There are also doubts over some of the future of first team players. Pierre Emerick Aubameyang, Mesut Ozil and Granit Xhaka are among those who could be on their way out of the club in January.

Finally, there is the big question on whether the ex-Arsenal skipper can get the players playing again. The Gunners have won once in the league since October 6. and lie 7 points off the top 4, and potentially if form does not improve, could find themselves in a relegation dog fight.

Despite his lack of credentials he has worked under some prestigious managers. As a player Arteta was coached by David Moyes at Everton and Wenger at Arsenal. And of course, worked as coach under Pep Guardiola at City.

As a player for the 13 time League Champions, for 5 seasons. Arteta will know the foundations of the club and the expectations of fans, which is what he holds over what over potential candidates would have had.

The new Gunners’ boss has a difficult start to his reign. He travels to former club Everton tomorrow, then they will go to the Vitality to face Bournemouth on Boxing Day. Before his homecoming against Chelsea on December 29, which will be followed by a visit from Manchester United on New Year’s Day.

Arteta on being named Manager, and the job ahead at the Emirates

“This is a huge honour. Arsenal is one of the biggest clubs in the world. We need to be competing for the top trophies in the game and that’s been made very clear to me in my discussions with Stan and Josh Kroenke, and the senior people from the club.

“We all know there is a lot of work to be done to achieve that but I am confident we’ll do it. I’m realistic enough to know it won’t happen overnight but the current squad has plenty of talent and there is a great pipeline of young players coming through from the academy.”

Raul Sanllehi: Head of Football

“We met several top-class candidates and Mikel stood out to every single one of us as the perfect person for us. Mikel understands Arsenal Football Club and what it means to our fans around the world. We look forward to him getting down to work and bringing the best out of our squad as we work to get our season back on track.”

Pep Guardiola on the Appointment of his former No.2

“When you have dreams you cannot stop it, you have to follow them.”

‘Of course, Arsenal was an important part of his career as a football player. Going back home is important for him.

‘One of the best teams in England and wish him all the best. The results I’m pretty sure he’s going to do an excellent job.’