Mikel Arteta to Arsenal: Arsene Wenger backs expected managerial appointment and reveals what inexperienced Spaniard must do
Arsene Wenger has voiced his concerns over Mikel Arteta’s lack of managerial experience – but he will fully support the Spaniard should he take charge of Arsenal.
Arteta has held talks with Arsenal chiefs over becoming the club’s new boss following Unai Emery’s sacking last month.
The current Manchester City assistant signed for Wenger’s Arsenal from Everton in 2011 and would go on to be named captain before retiring after five seasons at the Emirates.
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And speaking about his former player, Wenger described Arteta as ‘intelligent’ but stressed it was important he surrounded himself with the right people if he is to succeed in north London.
“Look I am an Arsenal supporter – I said that in my last speech,” Wenger told Sky Sports. “At the moment I support the manager in charge, and the manager in charge is [Freddie] Ljungberg.
“When Arteta will be in charge, I will support Arteta. He is intelligent, he has passion, he has knowledge, but Ljungberg [does] as well.
“I believe that Arteta has certainly a great future, he has certainly learned a lot in his first position as an assistant coach. He will have to deal with the fact that he has no experience at that level and he will have to get surrounded well.
“For the rest, of course Arsenal is going through a very difficult period so it’s better I don’t comment too much on that and I just suffer like every supporter.”
After 22 years in charge of the Gunners, Wenger left the club in May 2018 having won three Premier League titles and seven FA Cups.
He appeared to suggest the club have made a number of poor decisions since his departure, stressing they were in ‘strong position’ when his lengthy reign finally came to an end last summer.
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Wenger, who was last month appointed FIFA’s head of global football development, added: “When I left the club was in a very strong financial position and they bought many players in between – they have not all worked out.
“I believe that it’s not a question of time. The change can be very efficient very quickly, it’s just about the right decision-making and that’s all that it’s about in football, it’s about good players.
“We speak about the success of Liverpool; of course they have a great manager, but you have to say as well that in the last three/four years they bought the right players.”
Should Arteta be appointed before the end of the week, he is expected to be in the Arsenal dugout for the first time on Saturday when the Gunners visit another of his former clubs, Everton.
talkSPORT will bring you full LIVE commentary of the Goodison Park clash from 12:30pm, as the first of three exclusive matches on GameDay!