Arsenal captain Mikel Arteta has said an emotional farewell to Arsenal in his programme notes for today’s game against Aston Villa.
The Lego-haired Spaniard will be hoping for a final run-out today before calling time on on his career in North London.
“Planning these notes was quite emotional for me, because this is the last time I address you as an Arsenal player,” he said.
“My next step is to decide what I want to do. I have a few options open and I have a very clear idea of what I want to do, but I won’t get into that now. What I will say is that I am excited by the future. I love the game and I cannot live without football.”
Arteta joined from Everton in 2011, and spoke about his time at the club in glowing terms.
“For me it was a dream to come here because I always admired this club,” he wrote. “My Arsenal debut was something special.
“I was so happy and privileged to be part of this club. When you have a chance to get up on those steps at Wembley and lift a trophy, it’s unbelievable.
“Arsenal was my favourite club in England since I was a kid. To become the captain and share in the nice moments we’ve been through has been a spectacular experience for me. I hope whoever follows me as captain tries to maintain the values of this club, because that it what sustains us in the long term.”
He pays tribute to Arsene Wenger, hinting at some ups and downs with the manager, but speaking of the Frenchman with huge respect. He also speaks about Tomas Rosicky and Mathieu Flamini, also heading into their final playing day with the club, before his final goodbye.
“I would just like to thank you all so much for the way you have supported during my time here. It’s been a huge honour, a privilege, and I can only promise that I have done my best.
“I’ll always be proud that I was able to help give the fans some trophies, which they had been waiting a long time for. Winning two FA Cups in a row was special, but for me it’s not enough for a club like this. It shouldn’t be the ambition.
“Hopefully the new generation will take this club on and become fantastic leaders and heroes here.”
Top man, and good luck to him wherever he goes after today.
Lego statue please.
Pure. Class.
All the best to Captain Arteta of the Lego Hair! Not forgetting TR7 & The Flamster. They shall be missed.
Still weird Ros wasn’t given a few min. cameo as well.
what position needs to be replaced most? Attacking mid (Rosicky), CM (Arteta), or DM (Flamini)?
Champion. Sounds like he’s moving on pepside. But I’m looking at the bright side. Years under arsene and then a few more under pep and then back in charge at the gunners!!!
Henry manager, Lego haired assistant, Flamster as owner having saved the world.
Great servant to the club, I’d actually say he goes up there in my top 10 signings under Arsene Wenger simply for the impact he had (and at fairly decent price considering the money spent on other nonsense like Llalana) when we were on the verge of collapsing. I know he’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but seriously without his signing, I fear where we would be today. all the best Mikel, you’ve been great!
Agreed. Absolutely crucial signing who along with Per steadied a sinking ship.
Don’t fortet Andre Santos! I loved that gay
You make a good point. Whether or not AW should stay beyond the next year remains to be seen but there are a lot of managers out there that make truly crap signings. My biggest frustration with Wenger is that he does not make signings we clearly need but more often than not, when he does make signings, he gets them right.
damm right
Gonna miss the man; always classy, despite being given lots of grief from the fans. That goal against Man City was also one of my favourite moments as a Gooner. Hope he sticks around as a coach, or in some other capacity.
Farewell Cap x
Legend. We all wish you well wherever you go thanks for being a true gooner
This is why it’s infuriating to see plastic fans talking foul of Mikel. The guy is pure class and has done some much for us. At the time we purchased him he was an ideal signing and he was a player I was really happy to have at Arsenal.
All the best for the future and may your hair remain eternally perfect!
We’ve only just begun to live
White lace and promises
A kiss for luck and we’re on our way
Thank you Arteta…
Oh man… That one hit home :(. He was one of the most consistent players to put on the shirt when he first came here. Steadied a sinking ship in many ways. Unfortunate how things ended, but a wonderful player nonetheless.
I woke one morning and I saw images of Arteta 8 on an Arsenal Jersey and I went nuts! He was always an Arsenal player. His true value to the club will be appreciated in the future. I wish he would remain as a youth team coach. We can’t be losing all of them! Viera etc
The boy done well, just wish we had got him a few seasons earlier.
He will be, and has been, missed greatly. At the start of the 13/14 season his partnership with Ramsey was fantastic, and I along with many others didn’t give him enough credit for what he contributed to the team at the time. He ran that midfield, and without him we’ve struggled to find someone who does as much for the team whilst allowing Ramsey to be a goal threat. Perhaps he wasn’t quite as effective defensively as Coquelin, you know what, fair enough, I don’t think he ever claimed to be a holding midfielder. He still have absolutely everything, every… Read more »
Class man on and off the pitch. He will be missed!
Best of luck for the future Mikel. Thanks for you efforts.
Just reading it makes me go all teary eyed.
Thank you Mikel, Tomas and Mathieu for your part in our club. Love you guys!!
Mikel being a supreme classy man – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7B3Q_iXNKWQ
Tomas – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cBSVcwmas0
Flamini – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IE3Ql2al6_k
It’s really sad to lose Arteta and Rosicky, and for all the complaining (and pointing), Flamini too. The three most experienced midfielders we have, the most vocal….. Arteta’s impact was crucial, especially in the first couple of years after he joined. As for Rosicky, it’s a case of what could have been, but he did give us moments of magic, and some absolute beauties of goals. I hope we can get in a midfield signing or two. Coquelin and Jack and Rambo have to step up now and boss the midfield, along with Elneny and Santi.
The best hair in football is soon to be the best hair in management.
An integral part in pulling Arsenal out of the shitty depths after that 8-2 nightmare and one of the classiest men to represent us. It sounds like he is definitely not staying with the club in any capacity but I wish him all the best regardless. He will certainly continue to have a positive impact on football wherever he choses to go next.
“He pays tribute to Arsene Wenger, hinting at some ups and downs with the manager…”
Can anybody expand on this?
Thanks for everything Mikel.
he has disagreed with the manager on the clubs recruitment policies, it was fairly well documented on a few occasions
Where?
Thank you for everything Mikel!
I’m gutted I won’t be there to see two of my favourite Arsenal players walk out that tunnel for the last time today. I love TR7 and Arteta, and it’s been a pleasure to watch them both. As for Flamini, I will always remember him for the good times, because he was truly a remarkable talent and he made some great contributions upon his return.
All three of them have been crucial at some stage, and they’ve all made the club proud.
Thanks to these guys, you’ll be surely missed. Farewell to you all.
Thank u Mikel . Excellent player on his day and a good ambassador for Arsenal during his time with us .
He typifies what Arsene Wenger has been about these past 10 to 12 years. A square peg on a round hole trying to do a job he was not built to do
Arteta was a great buy at the time, helped bring balance to an unbalanced team. Alsopartly responsible for Ramsey’s great form 2 seasons back. Still, should have maybe left already last summer as it was pretty evident during last season that he had little left to offer for the team but that is more down to Wenger. Still, massive respect for the man.
Respect to the guy, liked him as a player and even more as the group of players who lifted the cup, broke our no trophy in gazillion years record to bits and brought some respect, pride and joy back to the fans and the club. Top player, Top man
Have nothing but respect for him. Wish him luck and sucess in whatever he chooses to do next. Wish some of our players shared his mentality, which is why i’d love to have him in the club in a coaching role of some sorts. Also props for this quote:
“Winning two FA Cups in a row was special, but for me it’s not enough for a club like this. It shouldn’t be the ambition.”
Who would have imagined, when he was signed , that he would be a significant upgrade from Song, at DM? Nobody — but he certainly was. He was exponentially an upgrade in the leadership department, doing what was required. Not many managers would have had the insight to use him that way, so while I have my quarrels with Le Boss, he has to be credited for that. Fair seas to the skipper.
Thank you Arteta, ROSICKY and Flam. .. Going to kiss all of you. waiting for the fans who they will pick on
O Captain! My Captain!