Per Mertesacker reveals why he believes Arteta will take Arsenal to the next level

Arsenal announced Mikel Arteta as their new head coach in December last year and this decision was widely backed by almost everyone in the footballing world as everyone said that the Spaniard will be one of the best managers in the world. Arsenal’s academy manager Per Mertesacker has become the latest person to reveal what he thinks of Mikel Arteta and their journey together.

Mikel Arteta played for Arsenal for five years after arriving at the Emirates Stadium in 2011 which was the same transfer window that saw Per Mertesacker also join the club and he had a moderately impressive time at the club as he led the North Londoners to two FA Cup wins. After retiring in 2016, he immediately went to Manchester City to join up with Pep Guardiola and he spent there three years before finally becoming Arsenal’s first team head coach.

Per Mertesacker who was Arteta’s teammate and vice captain believes that the gunners have a great future ahead under the 38-year-old and says that his leadership skills are very impressive. Mertesacker also says that his working relationship with Arteta is fine since he learned a lot from him in the past.

LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 25: (L-R) Per Mertesacker and Mikel Arteta of Arsenal before the match between Arsenal and Olympique Lyonnais at Emirates Stadium on July 25, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

“I’m so delighted that Mikel has a place where he belongs, that’s my belief and that was my belief already as a player.” Mertesacker told Arsenal Player.

“His leadership is fantastic and I felt it myself, just being vice-captain and learning from him, how to handle situations, how to man up, be the captain and show it. But as well, to have the empathy and the feeling for people.”

“I learned a lot from him and I can only say that our working relationship is great and our personal relationship is great, so I can see a fantastic future for us.”

Mikel Arteta has had a great start to life as a boss apart from the unexpected UEFA Europa League exit as the gunners have only lost twice and it’s been clear how he has begun to try to implement his philosophy which was one of the biggest criticism of the previous manager.