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Santi Cazorla backs Mikel Arteta to succeed at Arsenal

Mikel Arteta

Speaking to UEFA’s official website, former Arsenal player Santi Cazorla believes Mikel Arteta is the right man to lead the club forward.

The Spaniard enjoyed a successful stint at the North London club before leaving in the summer of 2018. Known for his skills on the pitch and cheerful nature off it, the midfielder remains a beloved figure in the eyes of many fans.

Though the Emirates side are languishing at the middle of the Premier League table, Cazorla believes that Arteta is the right choice for the club. When asked about his former teammate, the Al Sadd player told UEFA:

“I think he’s the right man to take the club forward. It’s difficult to follow a period like Wenger’s – the club has to adapt to another kind of football, another philosophy, another vision of football. He’s got a clear idea of how he wants his team to play, they’re in the semi-finals and they did well in the FA Cup [last season].”

And when the midfielder was asked about the inconsistency shown by the Gunners this season, he had this to say:

“They have been pretty inconsistent, but you’ve got to give him time and I think they’re convinced that Mikel can get a lot out of the squad and achieve big things. I’m great friends with him and whatever good happens to him and the club I’d be happy for them because I’m a ‘Gunner.”

The 36-year-old had to leave London after a couple of injury plagued seasons. It has been three years since his departure and the Spanish midfielder said there are fond memories of the club and the fans, citing his time as an unforgettable experience.

Though the team has been struggling domestically, things look different in Europe. With a chance to reach the Europa League final, Arteta has the opportunity to win more silverware. And having the support of his former teammate will mean a lot as the boss tries to end the season on a positive note.

As Cazorla said, it was never going to be easy to replace Wenger and the current boss is the second man entrusted with the job. There are a lot of positives to be taken despite the inconsistency in results. And as the former Gunner pointed out, Arteta is capable of leading the team to glory. He did it last season and fans will be hoping that it can happen this time as well.

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