LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 05: Granit Xhaka of Arsenal and Aaron Mooy of Brighton and Hove Albion during to the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Brighton & Hove Albion at Emirates Stadium on December 05, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Visionhaus)
The agent of Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka has said the player has agreed terms with Hertha Berlin and wants to leave the club.
Per BLICK (h/t The Athletic's James McNicholas), new manager Mikel Arteta has privately told Xhaka he can leave in the summer while publicly backing the Switzerland international:
Xhaka said to be angry that while Arteta publicly professed his admiration for the player, he told him in private he could leave in the summer.
Hertha believed to have submitted a bid of €25 million, but Arsenal are holding out for more.
German Football Daily shared the comments from agent Jose Noguera:
#Xhaka‘s agent Jose Noguera confirmed that Xhaka wants to leave #Arsenal: "Granit Xhaka agreed terms with #Hertha. He has asked the Arsenal bosses and also Mikel Arteta to let him go to Berlin". [FT] #afc#hahohe
An exit has seemed inevitable since Xhaka reacted angrily to jeers from the home fans during a 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace in October. Wearing the captain's armband, he cupped his ears to invite more boos, took off his shirt and walked straight past then-manager Unai Emery and into the tunnel.
He later issued a statement to explain his reaction:
The 27-year-old returned to the starting XI a month after the incident in the 2-1 loss to Eintracht Frankfurt in the UEFA Europa League. His level of play has gradually improved in the past few weeks, and he was among the standouts during the 1-1 draw against Bournemouth on Thursday.
According to Bleacher Report's Dean Jones, a January move is possible, and Xhaka would welcome even a loan deal with Hertha. He previously played for Borussia Monchengladbach in the Bundesliga.
Hertha entered the winter break just four points ahead of the Bundesliga's relegation play-off spot and are expected to strengthen their squad significantly in January.
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 26: Lewis Cook of AFC Bournemouth battles for possession with Granit Xhaka of Arsenal during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Arsenal FC at Vitality Stadium on December 26, 2019 in Bournemouth, United Ki
The experienced Xhaka would be a major coup for the club from the capital. With plenty of Bundesliga experience under his belt, he likely wouldn't need too much time to get settled and contribute.
Arsenal could also experience turnover in January, giving Arteta the chance to start forming the squad to his liking. The primary objective for this season has to be a European ticket, however, and to achieve such a goal, experienced players like Xhaka are needed.
A bid of €25 million seems fair value, but more may be needed to convince the Gunners to cash in on their former captain.
AFC Bournemouth vs. Arsenal: Odds, Live Stream, TV Schedule and Preview
Dec 25, 2019
Arsenal's Spanish head coach Mikal Arteta (C) leaves at the final whistle during the English Premier League football match between Everton and Arsenal at Goodison Park in Liverpool, north west England on December 21, 2019. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
The Mikel Arteta era at Arsenalwill begin in earnest on Boxing Day when he takes charge of the team for the first time at Bournemouth in the Premier League.
The Gunners go into the game seeking to spark a disappointing campaign into life. Following their 0-0 draw at Everton in the top flight on Saturday, Arsenal are down in 11th in the table, having notched just one win in their last 13 games in all competitions.
In Bournemouth, they have unpredictable opponents. The Cherries were unable to build on their brilliant 1-0 win at Chelsea, slumping to a 1-0 loss to Burnley in their previous contest. They sit just four points ahead of the relegation zone with the halfway point of the campaign in sight.
Here are the crucial details ahead of what promises to be a fascinating encounter at the Vitality Stadium.
If Arteta was wondering about the kind of job he was taking on at the Emirates Stadium, it would have become clear to him watching on from the stands at Goodison Park.
Arsenal struggled to establish a foothold in the contest, and although they were able to keep out the Toffees on the day, they created little in terms of major opportunities. At the moment, it's difficult to argue with them being in the bottom half of the table.
As James Gheerbrant of The Times observed, the Gunners found it difficult to get the ball into dangerous areas:
In Wenger’s last 2 seasons, Arsenal averaged 25.3 and 23.4 passes into the box that weren’t crosses.
This season, that figure is 14.1. Against Everton on Saturday, they managed 6.
On Arsenal’s lost identity - and why Arteta may be the man to restore it:https://t.co/VJun8Yghfn
One of the big challenges for Arteta will be establishing an identity in the team's play, something that wasn't evident under his predecessor Unai Emery.
The Gunners posted the following clip of some of the work Arteta has been doing on the training pitch in the buildup to the contest:
💬 "Four things: Ball. Teammate. Opponent. Space. That's all that we're going to be working on!"
📺 Watch @m8arteta lead today's session now on Arsenal Player 👇
However, with limited time to work with the players during this congested period of the Premier League calendar, getting a lot more from an unbalanced and injury-ravaged squad will prove to be difficult.
Sead Kolasinac, Kieran Tierney, Hector Bellerin and Rob Holding have all had time on the treatment table ahead of the Boxing Day fixture, which could leave the Gunners particularly threadbare at the back. Calum Chambers' absence through suspension further exacerbates the problem.
Bournemouth will be seeking to capitalise on any uncertainties that are lingering in the Arsenal squad, although they too have found consistently difficult to come by.
Last time out, Burnley snatched a 1-0 win at the Vitality Stadium from a game that was lacking in technical quality.
Duncan Alexander of Opta noted neither side found an attacking rhythm before Jay Rodriguez struck in the 89th minute:
A breathtaking total of five shots in the Bournemouth v Burnley match. 50 players have had more than that by themselves in a PL game this season.
The onus will be on Eddie Howe to lift his players again ahead of this fixture. Against Chelsea, they showed they're capable of hurting the elite teams in the division, and Arsenal's defensive problems will allow the Cherries to carve out chances.
It's hard to know what to expect from Arsenal under Arteta, although there will be an extra intensity about the team's play with a new man in place. An entertaining and even fixture appears to be on the cards on the south coast.
Prediction: Bournemouth 2-2 Arsenal
Patrick Vieira Says He Had No Contact with Arsenal over Manager Job
Dec 23, 2019
Nice's French coach Patrick Vieira smiles as he sits on the bench during the French L1 football match between Brest and Nice on December 14, 2019 at the Francis Le Ble stadium in Brest. (Photo by Fred TANNEAU / AFP) (Photo by FRED TANNEAU/AFP via Getty Images)
Patrick Vieira has said he wasn't contacted by Arsenal about becoming manager before his former club hired Mikel Arteta. A Gunners legend during his playing days, Vieira was thought to be among the front-runners for the job in north London.
However, he told Canal+ (h/t Metro) that wasn't the case, and he also reaffirmed his commitment to Ligue 1 side Nice: "I do feel for Arsenal because I had nine fantastic seasons there and they're going through difficult times. Was I contacted? No. It's flattering (to be linked) but I know how lucky I am to be at Nice. I don't have intention or desire to go elsewhere."
There were reports Arsenal technical director Edu had earmarked former team-mate Vieira as his first choice to replace interim boss Freddie Ljungberg in the dugout. The latter replaced Unai Emery, who was sacked in November.
The Athletic's David Ornstein also reported Arsenal held a meeting with Vieira in London about the job.
Ultimately, the Gunners opted to give Manchester City assistant coach Arteta his first chance as a senior boss. The appointment was made official Friday:
Edu played alongside Vieira in the Gunners' engine room during the club's historic 2003/04 season. Arsenal won the Premier League title without losing a game.
It was Vieira's third title, following league and FA Cup doubles in 1998 and 2002. The healthy haul of silverware, along with his ascension to captain, made Vieira one of the greatest signings in Arsenal's history after he was brought to the club for a modest fee from AC Milan in 1996.
Vieira was an imperious player at the peak of his powers. He was a colossus who effortlessly combined imposing power with exuberant flair and natural elegance.
The Frenchman bossed games from every phase of midfield and provided the platform for Wenger's ideas about free-flowing football.
His stature as a player means Vieira would have brought more gravitas to the job than Arteta. The latter also played in the Arsenal midfield and became skipper on Wenger's watch.
Yet despite winning two FA Cups, Arteta was never the marquee performer Vieira was nor can he match the managerial experience of the man not even contacted by his old club.
Vieira spent two seasons in charge of Major League Soccer expansion side New York City FC before taking over at Nice in 2018. A seventh-placed finish in the French top flight last season spoke volumes about Vieira's ability, but things have been tougher since.
Issues over ownership and recruitment have destabilised Vieira's project at Nice. As Get French Football News detailed in an online thread, however, the 43-year-old has also been guilty of a few missteps:
And yet he has continued to make alterations on a weekly basis & after 3 months still hasn't taken a position on key questions: Is Youcef Atal more impactful at LW than RB? Is Ignatius Ganago better served in a front 2 with Dolberg than at RW?
Vieira's team has improved lately, moving up to 10th after wins over Metz and Toulouse. Despite any problems, there is little doubt hiring Vieira would have been seen as less of a gamble than appointing Arteta.
The 37-year-old has never taken a senior job before, hardly an ideal background given the scale of the job in north London. Arteta, who took training for the first time Sunday, needs to fix a leaky defence, win over underperforming established stars like Mesut Ozil and get Arsenal back to playing the expressive game Wenger made a club staple for nearly 22 years.
Arteta represents a significant risk for a fallen giant of a club already enduring a period of prolonged hardship. In this context, it's more than a little surprising Arsenal opted against at least reaching out to Vieira to gauge his interest.
Mikel Arteta Confirms Freddie Ljungberg and Full Arsenal Staff
Dec 23, 2019
Arsenal's interim head coach Freddie Ljungberg looks out from the bench before the English Premier League soccer match between West Ham Utd and Arsenal at the London Stadium in London, Monday, Dec. 9, 2019. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Freddie Ljungberg's time as interim manager of Arsenal came to a quick end, but he will be a key member of Mikel Arteta's staff. The new boss confirmed the Swede will stay on.
Arteta also added ex-Everton andManchester Unitedcoach Steve Round as assistant coach, Wales assistantAlbert Stuivenberg and Brentford's Inaki Cana Pavon as goalkeeping coachto his staff.
"I am delighted to have this talented group of coaches alongside me. They bring a great mix of experience and fresh thinking. Along with the talented people we have in the club already, they will be key people to get us back to winning ways," Arteta said on Tuesday.
Arteta detailed his discussion with Ljungberg after the 42-year-old was in the dugout for Saturday's 0-0 draw away to Everton, per BBC Sport on Monday:
"I spoke to Freddie after the (Everton) game. I told him my idea and the people I wanted to bring to form my coaching staff, their roles and responsibilities of each of them.
"I wanted to know what he was feeling, I wanted to know what he had in mind, what his expectations were. We talked and we made a decision that the best thing was for him to stay with us. I think he knows the players, he knows the situation, he knows the history of where we're coming from and also his knowledge of the game is going to really help us to be better."
Keeping Ljungberg in the fold is a smart move from the ex-Manchester City assistant. The former Gunners star can be a valuable conduit to the players.
Like Ljungberg, Arteta was an Arsenal midfielder during his playing days. However, even though he won two FA Cups and wore the captain's armband, Arteta lacks the gravitas of Ljungberg, a free-scoring member of the "Invincibles," who won the Premier League title without losing a game during the 2003-04 season.
Both men played for Arsene Wenger and experienced the Frenchman's preference for expansive, attacking football. It's a style Arteta has previously expressed an affinity with:
Specifically, the new man in charge needs to convince big earners like strikers Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, as well as playmaker Mesut Ozil, that he can deliver success. It's a tall order for an inexperienced 37-year-old who has never been a manager before.
While Arteta played alongside Ozil for three seasons, most of the rest of the Arsenal squad will be unknown to him. The scale of the turnover in staff and players has been immense since Wenger stepped down in 2018 and was replaced by Emery, so Arteta needs Ljungberg, who has seen the overhaul up-close and knows the personalities.
Ljungberg also knows how tough the job of rebuilding this squad will be, having laboured six games in all competitions in the senior job since replacing the sacked Emery in November:
Freddie Ljungberg had a 16.67% league win rate as Arsenal interim manager.
Saturday's clean sheet at Goodison Park aside, Ljungberg saw Arsenal concede 10 goals in five matches. It's obvious which area of the team will be Arteta's initial focus:
Ljungberg's final team selection in charge also sent a not-so-subtle message about the need for Arteta to ensure he has maximum commitment from the established stars. Lacazette and club-record signing Nicolas Pepe watched from the bench while academy graduates Bukayo Saka, Reiss Nelson, Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Emile Smith Rowe, all of whom were managed by Ljungberg at U23 level, helped the Gunners keep a rare clean sheet.
There have been questions about the motivation of some of the marquee names in the squad. Ljungberg singled out languid schemer Ozil after the latter reacted negatively to being substituted during a 3-0 home defeat to City earlier this month:
Ljungberg on Ozil: “He walked off, took his things and kicked them. I said at Arsenal, that’s not how we behave. Mesut was injured but I would not have picked him for the squad because I want to make a stance that that’s not what I accept from an Arsenal football player." pic.twitter.com/oyVmGikUGu
Getting underperforming big players like Ozil back on track will be as important for Arteta as helping gifted youngsters reach their potential. A rookie senior boss won't be able to do it alone, so keeping Ljungberg's knowledge and passion for the club makes sense.
Arsenal's German midfielder Mesut Ozil reacts to his substitution by kicking his gloves along the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium in London on December 15, 2019. (Photo by Ian KINGTON / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by IAN KINGTON/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal interim manager Freddie Ljungberg has criticised Mesut Ozil for his unacceptable behaviour after being substituted against Manchester City.
The Swede told reporters he would have dropped the midfielders for Saturday's clash with Everton had he not been injured after he reacted angrily when taken off against the Premier League champions:
"For me, I got asked after the game about Mesut. He walked off the pitch [in the Man City game] and then kicked his gloves. The fans were not happy.
"I got asked about it and said, 'At Arsenal, that's not how we behave and not what we do'. I stand by that. Mesut was injured, but I would not have picked him for the squad because I want to make a stance that it's not what I accept from an Arsenal football player. That's my decision. I won't make the decisions again, but that's what I think."
Ozil was replaced by Emile Smith Rowe after 59 minutes of the 3-0 defeat to Pep Guardiola's side and walked off the pitch and kicked his gloves into the air:
Saturday's 0-0 draw with Everton was Ljungberg's final game at the helm after being placed in interim charge following Unai Emery's departure.
New manager Mikel Arteta will be in the dugout for the Gunners' Boxing Day clash at Bournemouth and will have a decision to make over Ozil if he is fit enough to feature.
Arteta described Ozil as a "massive player" for Arsenal in a press conference during his unveiling but also called on the club's stars to "deliver passion and energy."
Ozil is Arsenal's highest-paid player but has started only eight Premier League games this season and may have has his work cut out convincing Arteta he deserves a regular place in the starting XI.
Jose Mourinho Says Mikel Arteta Appointed at Arsenal Because of 'Zero Defeats'
Dec 21, 2019
WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 15: Jose Mourinho, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur looks on during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Tottenham Hotspur at Molineux on December 15, 2019 in Wolverhampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)
The Gunners announced Arteta as Unai Emery's permanent replacement on Friday, while Ancelotti, who was linked with the vacancy at Arsenal, could be set to take over at Everton.
Per Goal's Sean Wilson, Mourinho said of the appointment:
"The only point I can find, and it is for us to laugh a little bit, is that years ago the best managers were the guys with more victories and now the best is the guy with the fewest defeats.
"So, Ancelotti has three Champions Leagues, won the league in Italy, France and England and won cups here and there—but Ancelotti has lost, I don't know, 200 matches?
"I have lost 150 to 180—Carlo is a little bit older than me. I think now it is not about how much you won, it is about the matches we didn't lose. So, probably the best managers now are the managers with zero defeats.
"The only reason I can understand is that they look through the CVs and see guys with more defeats and guys with less defeats, so guys with less defeats are given the job. I cannot find another reason."
As Mourinho observed, Ancelotti has one of the best resumes of any manager operating in world football.
Arteta has benefited from having played for Arsenal, where he made 150 appearances. Had he no insider knowledge of the Emirates Stadium, he likely would not have been considered for the job.
To appoint someone with no managerial experience is a significant gamble for the Gunners given the size of the rebuild needed there.
The 37-year-old has enjoyed three years working under and learning from one of the world's best coaches in Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, though.
In his press conference following his unveiling on Friday, Arteta made it clear he will be demanding a lot from his players:
So what should we expect from Mikel Arteta as a head coach? 🤔
Goal's Charles Watts and ESPN's David Cartlidge reacted positively to his appointment, despite his lack of experience:
Real sense of excitement after that today. Arteta so impressive, he had such confidence. It just felt right seeing him up there. Patience is key, but convinced he will be an excellent appointment if he is backed and allowed to fully implement his ideas.
For what Arteta lacks in experience, he has already set about making up for in his early moves as coach. His work on teaching players new positions (Delph, Zinchenko), helping them integrate (Rodri) and ironing out their weaknesses (Sterling) has been notable behind the scenes.
Long term, Arteta's job will be to reverse the slump Arsenal suffered under Emery and in Arsene Wenger's final years in charge. in 2017, the club dropped out of the Premier League's top four for the first time since 1996, and they've yet to break back into it.
Arsenal are seven points off the top four this season. They've won just once in the league since October 6, so there's plenty of room for improvement in the immediate future, but Arteta can't be fairly assessed one way or another until next season at least.
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 28: Unai Emery manager of Arsenal during the UEFA Europa League group F match between Arsenal FC and Eintracht Frankfurt at Emirates Stadium on November 28, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
Former Arsenal boss Unai Emery has opened up on his departure from the club and his relationship with Mesut Ozil.
The Spaniard was sacked in November having been appointed last year as Arsene Wenger's replacement at the Emirates Stadium.
In an interview with Guillem Balague for BBC Sport, Emery looked back on his time at the club and said he was "very pleased" with their first season before his side lost 4-1 to Chelsea in the UEFA Europa League and missed out on a place in the Premier League's top four.
"In the league, we swam right up to the shore and died on the beach," he said.
The Gunners were third on April 1 after 31 matches. However, they lost four times in their final seven games, including a 3-2 defeat to Crystal Palace at home, where they were also held to a 1-1 draw by Brighton & Hove Albion.
As a result, they finished fifth, a point behind fourth-place Tottenham Hotspur and two behind Chelsea in third.
Nevertheless, Emery said: "I was very satisfied with how things went because I believe we learned how to become a team, at times a team that shone, but a team that was effective and competitive, and a team that in general was showing why Arsenal signed me."
The 48-year-old was relieved of his duties on November 29 after the Gunners had been on an almost unprecedented winless run:
7 - Arsenal have not won any of their last seven matches in all competitions (D5 L2) - they never went on as poor a run across 1235 games under Arsène Wenger, last waiting this long for a win in February 1992 under George Graham (8 games). Denouement. pic.twitter.com/Aqz016ODfn
Emery said he was "suffering" during this period as he struggled to turn things around and told his players "I couldn't see the team I pictured on the field of play, I couldn't identify what I was looking for."
He felt the run of poor performances and results lost him the support of the fans, making his position untenable for the club.
Much was made of Emery's difficulties in speaking English, which he spoke in press conferences and the dressing room without the aid of an interpreter.
Football writer Simon Curtis believed it contributed to his downfall:
Emery's problems with English form a parallel with the fate of Big Phil Scolari at Chelsea. Could not communicate effectively enough with his squad, nor with his players and failed. Not the whole story by any means but an important part of it. https://t.co/tbIfI6Wrin
Emery said that while his players did understand the messages he put across, he struggled to deal with the volume of questioning he received from the media when results went against him:
"My speech in the first or the second question of press conferences could contain phrases or words to express myself but the third or the fourth or the fifth I found more difficult.
"As a result, I saw this barrier that I had to conquer, and I believe that in time I would have done it but clearly I still had a long way to go."
The coach's relationship with Ozil was also the subject of much speculation.
The German, Arsenal's highest-paid player, made just 35 appearances in all competitions last season. This season he had played just seven times before Emery was sacked. Two of those were in the Carabao Cup, and he did not complete 90 minutes in either of those games.
"Ozil is a very important player if you can find a way to make it work with other players," Emery said. "He has talent that allows other players to be better, but when you want a bit more aggressive pressure, he does not have the best qualities for that."
In Arsenal's last match, Ozil was substituted by interim boss Freddie Ljungberg before the hour-mark with the team 3-0 down to Manchester City:
Not the best of days for Mesut Ozil 😕
Man City still lead 3-0 against Arsenal and look good value for their lead.
The Times' Henry Winter was critical of the playmaker's attitude, while Opta's Duncan Alexander put his season into context:
Somebody at #afc should give Ozil a video of De Bruyne's work in/out of possession, creating and scoring, pressing hungrily. Ozil, by contrast, seemed disinterested/showed dissent when deservedly subbed. Ozil blessed with special technique but his attitude stinks at times #ARSMCI
Ozil's performance against City was an example of Emery's point, though during his tenure the Gunners rarely played with aggression or put opponents under significant pressure whether Ozil was on the pitch or not.
Former Arsenal midfielder Mikel Arteta was appointed Emery's long-term successor on Friday, and Emery backed his compatriot to succeed.
Per sports journalist Paul Brown, he also discussed his immediate plans amid interest from Everton in filling their managerial vacancy:
Emery on #EFC: “Different teams have expressed interest. To be honest I want to thank them for wanting me and I told them that I wanted to be quiet, that I need to take a little bit of air. And to choose well the next project after many years of not stopping.”
The Gunners' slump was not arrested by the departure of Emery. In Ljungberg's five matches in charge, they picked up just one win, so Arteta has an enormous job on his hands as he becomes a manager for the first time in his coaching career.
As for Emery, his reputation will have taken a hit after his struggles at Arsenal. He won three consecutive Europa League titles with Sevilla, though, as well as seven honours at Paris Saint-Germain, including the Ligue 1 title.
He may not be a candidate for an elite job in the near future, but as Everton's interest indicated, he'll likely have plenty of offers come his way.
New Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta Discusses Accountability, Mesut Ozil at Presser
Dec 20, 2019
New Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has said he will hold his squad accountable and that Mesut Ozil remains a "massive" player for the Gunners.
Per the Guardian's Gregg Bakowski, Arteta made it clear he's only interested in working with players who have the right mentality: "I don't want people hiding. I want people taking responsibility for the job. Anybody that doesn't buy into this is not good enough for this environment or culture."
Ozil will have a role to play, with Arteta referring to him as a "massive" figure for the Gunners. He also praised Pep Guardiola and Arsene Wenger as major influences.
Both Guardiola and Wenger have backed the Spaniard to have success as manager:
Arteta was announced as the new Arsenal boss on Friday, replacing interim manager Freddie Ljungberg. He will be staying at the club:
The message from me is still the same, get behind us and support the team! It’s been an honour to have helped the club I love for the last few weeks and I am excited to work with @m8arteta and his staff moving forwards pic.twitter.com/rj6xTrcLuV
Ljungberg replaced Unai Emery after his poor start to the season and guided the Gunners to a single win, against West Ham United. His last two outings were a draw against Standard Liege and loss to Manchester City, highlighting the need for a swift replacement.
Arteta has no experience as a head manager, having worked as an assistant to Guardiola at City the last few seasons. He said he's been preparing for the role, however:
"I'm extremely happy and proud to have been to been given the opportunity to be manager of this football club. I've been preparing for a few years now. I know the expectations. I've sensed good energy since I walked in at London Colney. [When leaving as a player], I said to the people [at Arsenal] 'I'm going outside [the club] I'm going to get prepared and then hopefully I'm going to come back one day when I feel prepared and ready."
He said his time at the Etihad Stadium taught him to be ruthless:
"What I have learned mostly is you have to be ruthless. I have so much respect for this football club that if I did not feel ready I would not be sitting in this chair. The first thing I have to do is change the energy. The players have to accept a different process, a different way of thinking. If we don't have the right culture the tree is going to shake."
Ozil's role at the club shrunk during Emery's time in charge, but Arteta's praise seemed to indicate the German could once again become a pivotal figure. He welcomed the new boss on Twitter:
Arteta faces a massive challenge in rebuilding Arsenal, who have won just five of their 17 Premier League matches this season. They currently sit in 10th place, seven points behind Chelsea and the last UEFA Champions League spot.
He said the ambitions are to win trophies and play in Europe, but for now, those objectives seem far-fetched. Arteta's first task will be to rebuild a defence that has let in 27 goals already and is devoid of elite talent.
The January transfer market could provide some solace, and getting this deal done before the window opens will give the Spaniard the opportunity to have his say on potential targets.
Arsenal Appoint Mikel Arteta as Manager on Contract Until 2023
Dec 20, 2019
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 15: Mikel Arteta of Manchester City before the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Manchester City at Emirates Stadium on December 15, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images)
Arsenal on Friday appointed former midfielder Mikel Arteta as manager on a contract that will keep him at the cub until the summer of 2023.
The Gunners published a statement confirming the Spaniard's return to the Emirates Stadium, succeeding Unai Emery after he was sacked in November:
The 37-year-old said he was delighted to be back at the Emirates Stadium:
"This is a huge honour. 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 great pipeline of young players coming through from the academy."
Arteta retired from playing in June 2016 and was swiftly appointed as one of Pep Guardiola's assistant coaches at Manchester City, helping the club to win back-to-back Premier League titles in 2018 and 2019.
Arsenal turned to another former player, Freddie Ljungberg, to lead the team on an interim basis following Emery's dismissal. The Swede has a record of one win, two draws and two lossesin his short spell in charge.
Kaveh Solhekol of Sky Sports News reported City sought clarification from their assistant manager after Arsenal chief executive Vinai Venkatesham was pictured leaving his Manchester home on Dec. 16.
Arteta takes up his first senior managerial role and hopes to succeed where fellow Spaniard Emery could not, with the Gunners 10th in the Premier League. Per Sky Sports Statto, it's rare a manager with no experience takes over such a prestigious club:
Mikel Arteta becomes only the 5th man with no prior managerial experience to take permanent charge of a “Big Six” club in PL era
Arteta made 150 appearances for Arsenal during his playing career and won two FA Cups in north London. He will be hoping to restore their status as major silverware contenders both at home and abroad.
He will not take charge of Saturday's match against Everton, as his duties as head coach officially start on Sunday.
Arsene Wenger Defends Mesut Ozil's 'Freedom of Speech' After China Uighur Posts
Dec 18, 2019
Arsenal's French manager Arsene Wenger (R) and Arsenal's German midfielder Mesut Ozil smile as Arsenal players celebrate their victory over Chelsea in the English FA Cup final football match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Wembley stadium in London on May 27, 2017.
Aaron Ramsey scored a 79th-minute header to earn Arsenal a stunning 2-1 win over Double-chasing Chelsea on Saturday and deliver embattled manager Arsene Wenger a record seventh FA Cup. / AFP PHOTO / Adrian DENNIS / NOT FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING USE / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo credit should read ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has defended midfielder Mesut Ozil following the backlash he's encountered after recent comments regarding the alleged treatment of Uighur Muslims in the Xinjiang region of China.
Gunners midfielder Ozil—a devout Muslim—tweeted on Friday criticising China, which resulted in state broadcasters removing Arsenal's fixture against Manchester City on Sunday, which they lost 3-0.
Wenger, 70, maintained Ozil doesn't represent his club, though he also said the player's "freedom of speech" permits him to share his views, per BBC Sport:
"What he says is about himself and not Arsenal.
"Mesut Ozil has freedom of speech like everyone else and he uses his notoriety to express his opinions, which are not necessarily shared by everybody.
"What's important is that Ozil has an individual responsibility. He doesn't have to carry the word of Arsenal Football Club. When you make a comment about your individual opinion you accept the consequences of it."
Nick Ames of the Guardian wrote Arsenal distanced themselves from Ozil's comments. The backlash also saw the player removed from video games FIFA and Pro Evolution Soccer, per James Benge of Football.London:
Chinese pressure on Mesut Ozil builds. He has been removed from Pro Evolution Soccer games in China after his statement last week.
Publisher NetEase says his comments "hurt the feelings of Chinese fans and violated the sport's spirit of love and peace" https://t.co/ljLNgYTLK2
Benge lauded Ozil for stepping outside a professional footballer's usual remit by taking a controversial stance in a serious matter. He also criticised former City and Barcelona midfielder Yaya Toure for dismissing his opinion:
Really disappointing to see these "shut up and dribble" comments from Yaya Toure. He doesn't have to voice a political opinion but no reason for him to police those who do.
Ozil deserves enormous credit for having the courage of his convictions, for using his platform for good. https://t.co/2f1QAHEFbd
Wenger, who now works as FIFA's chief of global football development, signed Ozil from Real Madrid in 2013.
Per BBC Sport, rights groups say around one million (mostly Uighur muslims) have been detained in high-security Chinese prison camps without trial. The report also included comments from Harun Khan, secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain, who praised Ozil's words as "hugely commendable."
Football finance writer Kieran Maguire recently appeared on Love Sport Radio and suggested Ozil's views could have an impact on his career prospects moving forward:
💰 Football finance expert @KieranMaguire thinks that whoever Mesut Ozil's next club is will have to think about the financial implications of signing him after his twitter post about China.#AFC
The 2014 FIFA World Cup winner was left out of Arsenal's team for much of this first half of the season, although he's since started their last seven Premier League games in a row.
United States Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, showed support for Ozil (or rather against China) via Twitter:
China’s Communist Party propaganda outlets can censor @MesutOzil1088 and @Arsenal’s games all season long, but the truth will prevail. The CCP can’t hide its gross #HumanRights violations perpetrated against Uighurs and other religious faiths from the world.
Geng Shuang, a spokesperson for China's foreign ministry, responded to Ozil's post by saying the German had been "deceived by false news reports," per Sky Sports.
The Gunners travel to Everton on Saturday in their next Premier League fixture, but Ozil may not be involved at Goodison Park after a hectic week of buildup.
