BREAKING: Mikel Arteta appointed new Arsenal manager

Mikel Arteta has been appointed as the new Arsenal manager, a year-and-a-half after first missing out on the role.

The former Gunners midfielder moves back to the Emirates Stadium following three-and-a-half years working as Pep Guardiola’s assistant at Manchester City , taking up his first role as a No.1.

“This is a huge honour,” said Arteta after signing a three-and- a-half year deal.

“Arsenal is one of the biggest clubs in the world. We need to be competing for the top trophies in the game and that’s been made very clear to me in my discussions with Stan and Josh Kroenke, and the senior people from the club.

“We all know there is a lot of work to be done to achieve that but I am confident we’ll do it.

“I’m realistic enough to know it won’t happen overnight but the current squad has plenty of talent and there is a greatvpipeline of young players coming through from the academy.”

Arsenal’s board identified Arteta as their first-choice to replace Unai Emery, who was sacked at the end of November following a poor start to the season, mounting fan unrest and the belief that he had lost the confidence of the players in the dressing room.

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