Raul Sanllehi comments after Arsenal appoint Mikel Arteta as manager

Add as preferred source on Google

Raul Sanllehi has told Arsenal’s official website that Arsenal interviewed a number of candidates to take over on a permanent basis from Unai Emery, but that Mikel Arteta stood out from the crowd.

The Gunners have confirmed on Friday afternoon that Arteta will be leaving his post as Manchester City assistant manager to take over as the main man at The Emirates, where he will remain until the summer of 2023.

Unai Emery was sacked in November after a dismal start to the 2019-20 campaign. That form has hardly improved under Freddie Ljungberg, with Arsenal winning only one league game since October 6.

Arteta has plenty on his hands and without any previous Premier League experience, it remains to be seen how he will fair on his return to the north London club. Sanllehi gave his verdict after appointing the Spaniard as Emery’s permanent replacement.

“We met several top-class candidates and Mikel stood out to every single one of us as the perfect person. Mikel understands Arsenal and what it means to our fans around the world. We look forward to him getting down to work,” Sanllehi said.

“I must also pay tribute to Freddie Ljungberg for his hard work and leadership. Together with Per Mertesacker, he has done a vital job for us in difficult circumstances. Freddie and Per are important parts of the Arsenal family and care for this club.”

It is believed that Ljungberg will remain in interim charge of the Arsenal side ahead of Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off at Goodison Park against another of Arteta’s former sides in Everton.

Arteta will have issues such as Granit Xhaka’s future, getting the best out of Mesut Ozil who is underperforming and sorting out the defence. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette’s futures are also a concern.