English Premier League side, Arsenal have announced that they have appointed their former Captain, Mikel Arteta as their new head coach.
The news is coming after weeks of speculations of an ongoing negotiations with the Arsenal board to bring the Spaniard back to the London club as a coach; and after finalising negotiations with Manchester City and personal terms with the 37-year-old Spaniard, Arsenal handed the one time Gunner, a three-and-a-half-year deal to be at the Emirate.
The now ex-Manchester City assistant coach and Pep Guardiola’s right-hand man, will now succeed fellow Spaniard Unai Emery, who was sacked in November, after a poor run of results, that still extend under interim manager, Freddie Ljungberg.
Mikel Arteta speaking after his appointment said:
“We need to be competing for the top trophies in the game,” Arteta said.
“That’s been made very clear to me in my discussions with [owners] 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,” added Arteta.
“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.”
Arsenal who are yet to win a game in 12 games in all competition, and are yet to win at home in six games at Emirates Stadium, will be looking to impress the new manager when they take on Everton at the weekend. But Mikel Arteta will only take charge by Sunday, as he will be watching the Everton game from the stand.
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