When Arenal turned to Mikel Arteta as their new manager in 2019, it was a huge gamble.
Not only was the club handing the keys to an inexperienced coaching mind, but they were also further risking the team’s decline after the troubles under Arsene Wenger and then Unai Emery.
Some inside Arsenal would argue that they did decline further under the stewardship of Mikel Arteta, before they got better.
In fact, they took several steps backwards, finished outside of Europe and are now closer than ever to winning the Premier League title.
But if Arteta could add some stardust to his coaching staff, who is the one ex-Arsenal teammate that he would pick?
Well, the 42-year-old stated that he would pick former playmaker and two-footed superstar, Santi Cazorla, who had ‘unbelievable energy’, as he told Soccer Saturday on Sky Sports (13/04/24 at 12:20 pm).
The 39-year-old left Arsenal in 2018 and was regarded as one of the success stories of the Emirates era.
And Arteta explained why he would love to have his ‘unbelievable energy’ on the sidelines with him.
Santi Cazorla at Arsenal
“Depending on the role,” said Arteta. “You know my sympathy for Santi (Cazorla).
“We used to get on really, really well. I think he had an unbelievable energy that, as a coaching staff to have someone like that, that can trust with his knowledge, but his energy as well to the team. I think it’s going to be valid.”
Arsenal moving to the top of the Premier League table
The title race is moving hands once again like a clock, with Manchester City moving to the top after they beat Luton Town 5-1 on Saturday.
What’s interesting is that they also jumped ahead of Liverpool when it comes to goal difference, but both are still behind Arsenal, in that regard.
The Reds play first on Sunday – at home to Crystal Palace – three points and then they go top.
But Arsenal would reclaim that spot if they beat Aston Villa hours later. All in all, this title race is moving like a madness and you feel it will go into the final week of the season like this.
The post ‘Unbelievable energy’: Mikel Arteta says he'd have player Arsenal let go in 2018 as coach at the club now appeared first on HITC.
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