Mikel Arteta: Arsenal set to confirm former midfielder as new boss

Ibrahim Mustapha
Updated
Arteta has been working closely with Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. (Photo by Barrington Coombs/PA Images via Getty Images)
Arteta and Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. (Credit: Getty Images)

Arsenal are set to confirm Mikel Arteta as their new manager.

The Spaniard who spent five years at the Emirates, including two as club captain, returns to north London having been assistant coach at Manchester City following his 2016 from playing.

He has signed a three-and-a-half year contract with the club, with an announcement to be made shortly.

After two successful years working under Pep Guardiola, Arteta had been linked with the Arsenal job in 2018, but despite reportedly impressing at the interview stage, lost out the Unai Emery.

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Emery was relieved of his duties earlier this season following a disappointing start to his second campaign, putting Arteta back in the frame.

Despite having never managed before, Arteta has been praised for his work on the coaching staff at the back to back Premier League champions.

Arsenal's Spanish midfielder Mikel Arteta (R) celebrates scoring his team's fourth goal with Arsenal's French striker Olivier Giroud during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium in London on May 15, 2016. / AFP / Ian Kington / 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 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo credit should read IAN KINGTON/AFP via Getty Images)
Arteta playing for Arsenal in 2016. (Credit: Getty Images)

Arteta, 37, takes over a side struggling for form, sitting 10th in the Premier League having won just five of their 17 games.

Arsenal have also won just one of their last 12 matches in all competitions and in their most recent outing, suffered a humiliating 3-0 defeat to Manchester City, for whom Arteta was of course in the dugout.

The former midfielder replaces Freddie Ljungberg who had been in temporary charge following Emery’s departure.

More to follow.

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