Arsenal News

Alan Smith backs Mikel Arteta for the head coach role at Arsenal

Arsenal legend Alan Smith has said that the Gunners have made a bold move to land the signature of Mikel Arteta. The Spaniard has been linked with a return to the Emirates in a managerial capacity since last month and reports have emerged that he could pen a three-and-a-half year contract in the next 24 hours.


Speaking to TalkSPORT, Smith believes the recruitment of Arteta would be an exciting and bold move, given he has been a huge influence on the Manchester City in an assistant capacity, he told: “From the outset I thought that he would be the most exciting, the boldest choice as an innovative young coach that can put on really good sessions and that transfers to the pitch. Obviously, he’s had a huge influence from [Pep] Guardiola up at Manchester City. He takes a lot of the sessions and Raheem Sterling and Kevin De Bruyne have both credited him with improving their game.”