Charlie Nicholas endorses Mikel Arteta to be Arsenal’s next manager

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Former Arsenal midfielder Charlie Nicholas has talked up Mikel Arteta’s credentials to take over from Unai Emery at the Emirates Stadium.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Nicholas endorsed the man BBC report Arsenal are in talks with, hours after he was in the away dugout alongside Pep Guardiola as Manchester City won 3-0 in north London.

He said: “Finally it looks as if a decision’s been made. Mikel Arteta has been a captain at the club, he knows how to lead the team, in my opinion, he’s worked under the best coach on the planet.

“Pep Guardiola said yesterday he’s ready to be a number one. Let’s get the deal done, I’m excited. There’s a question mark beside it because it will take him time, even the forward players don’t look exciting. Someone has to repair it.”

TBR’s View – Massive job for rookie Arteta if he gets it

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Freddie Ljungberg have made it plain how tough it can be for an inexperienced manager to come into a big club who are struggling.

Arteta is useful to Guardiola at a club where everything is running smoothly, but can he really transform Arsenal in his first job?

It’s a huge ask and Arsenal fans will need to unite behind him so he gets the time and patience he needs to get it right.