Arsenal confirmed today, Friday, the appointment of Mikel Artita as the new technical director of the team, putting their confidence in the former team leader to restore the success of the London club.
"The Gunners" - in a statement posted on its official website - stated that Artita, who was assistant coach to Josep Guardiola on Manchester City, signed a three and a half year contract.
"It is a great honor for me," Arteta told the club's official website.
"Arsenal is one of the biggest clubs in the world, we have to compete for the big cups in the game, and this was explained to me in my conversations with Stan and Josh Kroenke (manager of Arsenal) and the VIPs in the club."
Arsenal is currently ranked tenth in the Premier League table, noting that at some point during this season the team failed to win eight matches, which cost Spain's Unai Emery his position as coach of the team.
"We all know that we have to work hard to achieve this, but I am sure we will do this," said Arteta. "I am realistic enough to know that this will not happen overnight, but the current team has many talents, and there is a great streak of young players coming up from the club academy," he stressed.
⏪ @ m8arteta speaking during his time with us as a player ... |
Emery - in an interview with the BBC website - provided support for Arteta.
"He's really ready for the next step. He was at Arsenal before. He was working in the Premier League, and he was also working with Guardiola," said Emery.
In turn, Guardiola confirmed today that he could not stand up to Artita, and expected his success with Arsenal.
Guardiola told reporters, "Arsenal was important to him; he ended his career there, he is one of the biggest clubs in England, and I wish him good luck. .
Arteta played Arsenal for five and a half seasons, during which he participated in 110 games, and before that he played for Everton for seven seasons.
Arteta joined Manchester City as assistant coach in the summer of 2016, and helped the team to crown the league title twice in a row in the past two seasons.
Interim coach Youngberg will lead Arsenal in their match against Everton tomorrow, Saturday, before Arteta begins his duties in the new position the next day.