Arsenal has confirmed Mikel Arteta as the new manager,
taking over from the sacked Unai Emery.
Speaking to players and fans, Arteta said it’s a great
honour for him to return at the Fly 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.”
Arteta, who was Manchester City’s coach Pep assistant, pens
down a three-and-a-half year deal in his first managerial role as number one.
He returns to Arsenal, where he retired as a player after
playing 150 games between 2011 and 2016, winning two FA Cups and two Community
Shields.
His immediate employer City and Pep Guardiola intended to
Arteta remain at the Etihad Stadium, but the offer from the Gunners proved too
enticing for their former midfielder to turn down, reports Sky.
The gunners have been under the leadership of Freddie
Ljungberg in an acting capacity, following November sacking of Unai Emery.
Ljungberg oversaw two draws, two defeats and one victory
during his time in temporary charge, and departs his role with Arsenal 10th in
the Premier League table.
Reports have it that the Swedish could return home for his
first managerial post at Malmo.
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