Santi Cazorla delivers honest verdict on Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta

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Santi Cazorla has told UEFA’s website that he believes Mikel Arteta is the man to take Arsenal forward as the Gunners prepare for the second-leg of their Europa League semi-final against Villarreal, though says it is difficult to follow Arsene Wenger.

Arteta has already guided Arsenal to two bits of silverware in the form of the FA Cup and the Community Shield, but the Gunners sit in a lowly ninth place this season. European qualification only looks likely if they can win the Europa League.

A 2-1 defeat in Spain to Villarreal leaves the game on a knife-edge. Against Unai Emery’s side, and Cazorla’s old team, Arsenal have to win 1-0 – or win by two if they concede to the Spanish side at the Emirates on Thursday evening.

Cazorla, who has just won the Qatar Stars League title with Xavi’s Al-Sadd having scored 20 goals and created 15 in 35 Al-Sadd appearances, reckons Arteta is the right man to be in Arsenal’s dugout – but explained why the Arsenal job is a “difficult” one.

“He’s the right man to take the club forward. It’s difficult to follow a period like Wenger’s – the club has to adapt to another kind of football, another philosophy, another vision of football,” Cazorla said. “He’s got a clear idea of how he wants his team to play.

“They have been pretty inconsistent but you’ve got to give him time. They’re convinced that Mikel can get a lot out of the squad. I’m great friends with him and whatever good happens to him and the club I’d be happy for them because I’m a ‘Gunner’.”

TBR’s view – Arteta is a project

Not only is Arteta as a manager a project, but so is the evolution of his young Tottenham side. Arsenal boast impressive youngsters that include Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Martin Odegaard, Emile Smith-Rowe and plenty more.

Would you stop a project two years down the line? No. Are there signs of improvement? Yes, though somewhat inconsistent. If Arsenal win the Europa League, then it is a sign that they are going in the right direction under Arteta.

If they fail to win, then even so, they have done well to get to the last four. Perhaps even a season without Europe could help them in the league. But Cazorla is right, Arteta is the right man and the project has momentum.