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Tag: arteta

  • Mikel Arteta makes clear Willian plans at Arsenal

    Mikel Arteta makes clear Willian plans at Arsenal

    Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta expects Willian to stay at the club beyond this summer.

    The Brazilian has been linked with a move to Inter Miami, with reports claiming he is unhappy with the Gunners.

    Arteta concedes the 31-year-old did not perform at his best this season, but believes he will stay at the club.

    He told reporters ahead of Wednesday’s clash with Crystal Palace: “First of all we signed a player with an incredible talent, a proven talent and performance level in this league, and this season has been difficult and I take full responsibility because I have to be the one getting the best out of him and we had moments but not to the level that he did before.

    “This is an assessment that we will do individually with the players and with Edu, the board and the ownership to make the right decisions for the future.

    Asked whether he’ll remain at Arsenal, Arteta concluded: “Every player that is under contract is very likely to be here with us next season.”

  • Only results can convince Arsenal fans – Arteta

    Only results can convince Arsenal fans – Arteta

    Mikel Arteta knows he can only change the minds of Arsenal supporters with quality results on the pitch.

    Many fans were calling for Arteta to be sacked after the Gunners failed to overcome Villarreal in the Europa League semi-final last week.

    Speaking ahead of Wednesday’s clash with Chelsea, Arteta was asked to give his response to such criticism.

    “They are entitled to their opinions,” the Spaniard said.

    “The only way I can prove that is by having a team that performs on the pitch and makes them proud. That’s the only thing that I can do.

    “The only thing I can be judged on is do I create the necessary environment for a top, elite team to compete at the higher level and get everybody in the condition to do their best? And after that, do I get the best out of the players that I have? The maximum, whatever the level is, do I get the best out of that? This is how I judge myself and at the end, in the outside world, how I am going to be judged is just with results, nothing else.

    “What we’ve done good before, in the past, in the process… it’s irrelevant. It’s only what you get from that result when you are on that pitch.

  • Mikel Arteta approves Bellerin sale at Arsenal

    Mikel Arteta approves Bellerin sale at Arsenal

    Arsenal chiefs have decided to sell right-back Hector Bellerin.

    The Sun says the Spanish full-back wants a new challenge after ten years at the Emirates and fancies moving to another country.

    And Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta will not stand in the way of Bellerin, 26, as he plans to revamp his underperforming squad.

    Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan are both monitoring the situation and could make a move at the right price.

    Arsenal hope to raise as much as £35million for a player who still has two years to run on his contract — but may be forced to slash their asking price.

    Bellerin is the Gunners’ longest-serving current player after joining from Barcelona’s La Masia youth academy in 2011.

  • Arteta admits Arsenal in decline for five years

    Arteta admits Arsenal in decline for five years

    Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta says the club’s decline has been ongoing for five years.

    Arteta has warned it was always going to be a long term rebuilding job because they started falling behind from when they started finishing outside of the Champions League places under previous boss Arsene Wenger.

    Gunners manager Arteta said: “We have not been competing with the top clubs in this country for five years.

    “It is not as if this process started six months ago – it started five years ago and you can see this trend.

    “I understand those concerns because when you are out of the Champions League for five years it is not just a casualty, it’s a trend.

    “This year is not year one. I think a project has its phases and I am telling you we are in a much better position today to be where we want to be very soon, if we do what we have to do.

    “But we have to be ruthless. There is no time to waste and there is a lot to do.

    “What I felt was a deep pain because where this club is at the moment, with everything it has been through over the last months, I had a feeling that if we could take the team to the final, it could be a great turning point.

    “I know that we have disappointed a lot of people as well, and that really hurts because we want to give the best to everybody, but one thing I made clear is that to do what we want to do, I have no doubts that we are going to achieve it.

    “If not, I wouldn’t be sat here.”

  • Arsenal board make summer decision on Mikel Arteta

    Arsenal board make summer decision on Mikel Arteta

    Arsenal’s board will stand by manager Mikel Arteta through this summer.

    The Daily Mail says Arteta is under increasing pressure to transform Arsenal’s fortunes following their feeble European exit to Villarreal, but is expected to be given until the start of next season.

    The Gunners crashed out of the Europa League with a whimper, a result that virtually ended their hopes of qualifying for European football next season.

    It is understood the Arsenal hierarchy are not convinced that an immediate change in their managerial position is necessary.

    But the Gunners board are said to be disappointed at the way the club’s season has developed during Arteta’s first full campaign in charge and want to see significant improvements from the start of next term.

  • ‘I can still do this job’, Arteta insists after Europa setback

    ‘I can still do this job’, Arteta insists after Europa setback

    Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta still believes he is the right man for the job.

    The Gunners are out of the Europa League at the semi final stage, drawing 0-0 with Villarreal at home and going out 2-1 on aggregate.

    The result means Arsenal will be without European football next season for the first time since the 1995-1996 campaign.

    Arsenal are ninth in the Premier League, out of all the domestic cups, and now out of the Europa League as well.

    When asked post-game by reporters if he was still up for the job, Arteta said: “Yes.”

    He went on to say: “I wouldn’t be sitting here if I didn’t [think I could].

    “You will see it. It is not about talking, it is about showing it on the pitch.”

  • Mikel Arteta reacts to Arsenal takeover by Swedish billionaire

    Mikel Arteta reacts to Arsenal takeover by Swedish billionaire

    Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is standing by owner San Kroenke.

    Arteta has backed the Kroenkes ownership of the club and says he “cannot control” speculation linking Swedish billionaire Daniel Ek with a supposed takeover of the Gunners.

    “I cannot control the speculation and what is going on,” he said ahead of Thursday’s Europa League semi-final against Villarreal.

    “What I like to know and talk about is the reality. We have owners that are really committed and want a successful team on the pitch, and will do everything they can to achieve that.”

    When pressed on his discussions with the Kroenkes over transfers, he added: “It’s always been part of the discussion. What I can tell you is they want to do their best to have a really successful Arsenal on the pitch.”

  • Arteta trying to bring Arsenal traditions back – Emery

    Arteta trying to bring Arsenal traditions back – Emery

    Villarreal coach Unai Emery believes Mikel Arteta is the right manager for Arsenal.

    Emery faces his former club this week in the Europa League semi final first-leg.

    On his successor, Emery said: “Arteta tries to make his mark on Arsenal and I like that.

    “It is easy to identify that he is trying to bring back Arsenal’s tradition of playing beautiful football.

    “He played under Arsene Wenger there and I am sure he can apply everything he learned then. I think Arsenal and Arteta is a good marriage.”

  • Arteta has suffered bad luck this season – Cazorla

    Arteta has suffered bad luck this season – Cazorla

    Former Arsenal player Santi Cazorla insists manager Mikel Arteta is the right man in charge.

    Cazorla, now with Al Sadd, insists that it’s not a matter of quality in the squad or Arteta’s management, but just thinks that things haven’t really gone their way this year.

    “Arsenal have a squad that could fight for the top five in England but this year, because of injuries, it has not been functioning in the Premier League,” said the Spaniard.

    “I have watched some matches and I really don’t understand this situation.

    “Maybe pressure affects the players, this is the only explanation for me.

    “I don’t have any doubts about either bench — Unai Emery is a big coach who has demonstrated his level at other clubs and Mikel Arteta, although he is new in the past year or so, has much experience as player.”

  • Arteta fumes with VAR as Everton defeat Arsenal

    Arteta fumes with VAR as Everton defeat Arsenal

    Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti said the Toffees “are back” after a howler from Arsenal’s Bernd Leno gifted his side a crucial win in their bid for a Champions League place.

    The Merseysiders had failed to win in six games in all competitions but moved to within three points of the top four with a victory which was achieved amid a backdrop of protest.

    Over 1,000 Arsenal supporters gathered outside Emirates Stadium to show their anger about owner Stan Kroenke’s role in the failed European Super League.

    The goal came when Everton forward Richarlison tried to roll a pass across the six-yard box. Leno should have scooped it up, but the ball slipped through the Arsenal keeper’s hands, hitting his leg on the way in.

    That was a rare moment of goalmouth action on the night as Everton won at Arsenal in the league for the first time since 1996.

    Gylfi Sigurdsson came closest before that when his 30-yard free-kick hit the bar.

    “It was really important to stay attached to the top of the table,” Ancelotti told BBC Sport. “The performance was good. It’s all good news tonight and this gives us confidence for the next games.

    “Finally I can say we are back.”

    Arsenal were awarded a penalty in the second half after Richarlison nicked Dani Ceballos – but it was overturned by the video assistant referee for a Nicolas Pepe offside in the build-up.

    Gunners boss Mikel Arteta said: “We were the better team but there are certain decisions that we can’t control.

    “To disallow a penalty 15 seconds before – [we had] eight or nine touches [after Pepe was offside] – I saw it 10 times and I don’t get it. It can be taken the way they want. Zero control. Somebody has to explain that.”