Nicholas: Arteta is the right man for Arsenal job
Arsenal legend, Charlie Nicholas, believes that Mikel Arteta is the right man to become the Gunners’ next manager.
Reports emerged on Monday stating that the Arteta was Arsenal’s preferred choice for the job and talks are ongoing between the two clubs.
The former club captain is currently working as Pep Guardiola’s assistant at Manchester City – and he was in the away dugout as City comfortably beat Arsenal 3-0 on Sunday.
Talk of a move intensified in the hours that followed and Nicholas has revealed that he is a fan of the potential appointment.
“I had two choices, I threw my hat in the ring for Brendan Rodgers, and Arsenal missed an opportunity to go after it, they delayed so much,” he said.
“Mikel Arteta has had three-and-a-half seasons working under Pep Guardiola and he knows the fabric of Arsenal.
“They spoke to him before Unai Emery but they weren’t prepared to meet his demands. He is being offered one of the bets jobs in the world, and he stuck to his guns laid his cards on the table – I love a decision-maker.
“He is a leader, he has been Arsenal captain before, I like his authority and his passion.
“This decision would be spot-on and I would be happy to have Arteta. You give him the principles he wants, nail him down and get the gig done.
“They cannot delay this anymore, he must be given it and be given it now, this week.”
Current caretaker manager Freddie Ljungberg, another former player at the club, expressed the need for clarity on the role after their most recent defeat.
“I think I’ve said to the club, for me it is a great, great honour to do this,” he told the media.
“But Per (Mertesacker) is an academy manager and he is doing two jobs in one go and I’ve said I think it needs to be cleared up so everybody knows.
“That is something I’ve said, but it is totally up to the club. I’m very honoured and I’ve tried to do things as good as I can, but I think as well it would be good to make a decision regardless of what it is.”
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Arsenal are currently 9th in the Premier League standings – seven points off the top-four.