Paul Merson slams Arsenal amid Mikel Arteta interest reports

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Paul Merson has told Sky Sports that the decision-makers at Arsenal who want to appoint Mikel Arteta as their new manager are clueless.

Arteta appears to be in the driving seat for the Gunners post. Sky Sports reported that Arsenal are in talks with Manchester City and Arteta about a potential move to the Emirates.

The Spaniard spent the latter years of his playing career with the Gunners. And he has been working under Pep Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium since 2016.

Nevertheless, Merson has admitted that he cannot give an approach his approval with Arteta yet to take charge of his own side.

“Arsenal are in this mess because the people upstairs simply aren’t fussed,” he told Sky Sports.

“I mean, who’s making this appointment? Who believes Arteta is the best appointment possible, one that will really steady the ship? I cannot make the case for Arteta because he’s never managed before, yet someone at Arsenal can. How can you do that?

“I want to know who is upstairs at Arsenal saying this is a good appointment. From the club’s perspective, it’s clueless.”

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It is a gamble to appoint Arteta. But perhaps it may be that the board feel that it is the perfect time for him to come in.

Of course, the club may face a fight to keep their best players should they register a disappointing finish. But unfortunately, they may already require something special to reach the top four anyway.

There is likely to be less pressure on the next man coming in. Both Unai Emery and Freddie Ljungberg have struggled with the current squad. So Arteta may be given some additional time to find his feet if he does take the job.

It could be a roll of the dice from Arsenal. But perhaps it is a good opportunity to take a chance on Arteta with the club seemingly as low as it has been for a very long time.