Manchester City assistant manager Mikel Arteta is edging closer to a move to Arsenal, reports from Sky Sports claim.
A story from Sky has today revealed that the Gunners are hopeful of having Arteta as their head coach by the time they face Everton in the league this weekend.
After spending three and half years under Pep Guardiola, Arteta will surely have plans in place for his former side but what are the issues he needs to address immediately?
Here are three things Mikel Arteta needs to address immediately after taking over at the club.
GET THE FANS ON HIS SIDE
The Emirates has always been a stadium opposition teams find difficult to play in. It mostly boiled down to the vociferous backing of the fans and the subsequent transfer of confidence to the players on the pitch.
But it has not been the case for quite some time now dating back to the last couple of seasons of Arsene Wenger’s reign. The fans have had a sense of detachment since, with the players as well as the various strata of powers-that-be in the board.
While this will not be something which can be immediately mended, Arteta’s goodwill at the club and his familiarity will help things run smoothly upon his initiation. A friendly smile, informative pressers and a clear line of communication will go a long way in getting the fans to back the team once again as he looks for a solid start to what could be a defining moment in his career and Arsenal’s history.
IDENTIFY THE LEADERS IN THE SQUAD
The Granit Xhaka episode earlier in the season did not help Unai Emery at Emirates, whose position was already precarious. The Swiss international’s reaction to Arsenal fans booing him, saw him stripped off the arm-band, which was then handed to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
The former Dortmund star has been Arsenal’s best player this season but he is currently unsettled at the club and has been in the news for his brother’s comments on Arsenal’s decision to line up Arteta as the manager. His failure to commit to a long term deal has also seen Arsenal consider setting a deadline beyond which they will listen to offers for him.
Mikel Arteta, who was appointed as the 46th permanent captain of the club back in 2014, now needs to find a player of a similar stature, who can have a positive influence on the squad.
Finding a leader for this bunch of players will probably be the first difficult task Arteta faces in the coming days.
BRING STABILITY IN THE STARTING XI
But more importantly, the former Arsenal midfielder needs to make sure that he settles into a playing style and uses a fixed starting XI, at least in the initial matches. Arsenal have options for roles all around the field when all players are fit but not all of them would make Arteta’s starting XI.
Though technically gifted, a couple of players may have to be ditched to get the best out of the squad at Emirates and it will be important for the 37-year-old to identify the right system and players for that system, to try and find some consistency.
Immediate chopping and changing will just make sure that the aura of uncertainty continues to foster in the squad and the fans.
Good point about chopping the deadwood , and we all know who they are will have to go If that includes AUBa and Cassete so be it we will have to give Nelson and the other hopefuls their head and see if they can turn us around ,Stop playing the same inept players every week David Luis has to go and Xhaka, Moustafi and the french chicken with no brain who runs around a lot but doesnt get anywhere Arteta Knows his Job Let him do it and stop making life difficult SO CALLED FANS you distgust me and Ive been a fan for 72 years shame on the lot of you If you feel that bad about Arsenal stay away and watch it on the box