Mikel Arteta says he’s learned a lot about himself during the six months he’s spent sidelined with injury and confirmed he’s eager to stay at Arsenal.
The club captain returned to full training a couple of weeks ago but having not played competitive football since November looks unlikely to make the cut when Arsene Wenger selects his FA Cup final squad.
Admitting he’s had to find a new way to demonstrate his leadership qualities, the Spaniard noted: “It has been a strange season with my injury but I have learned a lot away from the ‘barrier’ of playing, I have learned to have a different input into the team.”
In Arteta’s absence competition for a starting berth in midfield has heated up. In particular the eye-catching performances of Francis Coquelin in the defensive midfield position has led to questions about the ex-Everton man’s future at the club.
“Francis was one of the nice surprises of the season,” said Arteta of his young cohort.
“He went on loan and he wasn’t that happy but he has come back and he has given the team balance. I am very happy for him.
“I would love to stay,” he continued when quizzed on signing a contract extension at the Emirates. “The club is clear what they want and I am clear and there will be an announcement after the cup final.”
While he may not play at Wembley, Arteta – who this week gave a presentation to his squad detailing Arsenal’s FA Cup history – underlined that winning another trophy and giving something back to the fans is driving everybody.
“I don’t like to use the word ‘confident’ ahead of a final because anything can happen, but we will give our all to win.
“We had 250,000 people on the streets last year and that was amazing to be able to give so many people a moment like that, it shows you how big a club this is and we want to do that again this year.
“We want to push on and challenge for more honours. Three or four massive teams are disappointed that they didn’t win the Premier League and two or three massive clubs missed out on the Champions League, so we know the challenge is there.”
The 33-year-old added: “The ambitions I think are going to be different for next season. The base, the squad, the quality we have is better than we had last year.
“I think the club is in a strong position as well to push, because financially it’s in a very good position.
“I think it’s the right moment. We have all the elements to move forward, to be challenging. I think we need to be demanding, because I think we have the ability and what it takes to go ahead and set bigger targets.”
His legs are gone but i think still useful against the lesser sides where Coq’s steel will be some what under utilised.
Plus he’s an all round decent bloke which is rather rare these days.
Legs aren’t everything- Pirlo’s still pretty handy and he’s slower than arteta! Personally think we should 100% keep him
And we’re talking about only what happens in a match here.
There’s off the pitch stuff, a lot of players have said they see Arteta as a manager so clearly the view him as a leader.
Besides, Arteta has a lot of experience and is one fine passer. While Coquelin is great, Arteta could help him improve his on-the-ball side of the game and help him become even better.
We really should be keeping Arteta.
I love Arteta; I love Roscicky, I love poor Diaby; I’ve no objection to keeping Flam till the end of his contract; and though Sanogo has been injured for most of his career to date, it would be wrong to write him off before he has properly been given a chance. Trouble is, they’re not playing, are they? Even when fit and Sanchez and Oezil are needing a rest, the excellent Rosicky has rarely being given a start. So unless we think the miraculous improvement in our injury situation that Shad looks to be beginning to effect is an illusion… Read more »
I wouldn’t say his legs have gone just because he has been out injured, but I agree that he is a top bloke and played a major role in helping to stabilise this team when we were in the mire!!!
Arteta needs to stat for his influence and character. Ideally he wouldn’t play much, but tossing out someone with his experience and leadership would be a big mistake IMO.
Three words for our captain. Cup. Final. Winners
Would be a decent backup for Coquelin against the lesser sides at home, but we still need to sign a genuine challenger for Coquelin’s spot
Arteta used to play ahead of Song in the midfield and behind the striker at everton . We need his versatility.
What was that. About 8 years ago?
I hope he signs that extension. Having the experience of his type and T.Rosicky can only be beneficial to the young heads in the team.
I can imagine him helping out to iron some of the limitations Coq has with distribution and positioning.
Yeah, I reckon he could help the Coq to spray it about a bit.
He’s going to join the coaching set-up. That is what they will announce. He’s a leader and tactician.
A player coach role at the club would be fantastic! He can still contribute to the team with his reading/vision of the game and passing abilities. He’s still got one or two seasons in him. Hope he sticks around.
To losing someone with a good words, positive & a leadership like arteta is saddening. Want to see himself at the club, even not as a player but a motivator to the players. I think i saw in one of arsenal video, most of the player stated arteta is one of the most helpful alongside per. Surely thats why he’d been chosen as our captain.
I rate Arteta as a true leader that clearly loves the club and would give it all to help us win. His football brain and leadership means he still has lots to add to our squad.
Will make a great manager.
Maybe a coaching role is being lined up….but really, with the signings we need to make, with a Sniederlin or a Vidal surely coming in, Arteta will hardly play. A club captain should be first on the team sheet….not a cheerleader on the bench.
We should let him go.
Schneiderlin or Vidal surely coming in ? Why surely ? Even Wenger can’t say that.
Looks like he is staying, good!
Good enough to be second choice until we can tell if Chambers of Bieilik can fill that spot. Plus we need someone to teach the youngsters the way of the lego hair.
Another backroom staff in the making.
Of topic, but here everyone to get you in the mood today some Official Video for the 1998 FA Cup final build up:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnPaOi6F4wc&app=desktop
AN OPEN LETTER TO ARSENE WENGER AND ARSENAL FOOTBALL CLUB: Please don’t fuck things up today. Aston Villa are a very average side which finished just three points away from relegation. They are a team which were hammered 6-1 by Southampton just a couple of weeks ago and lost at home to relegated Burnley last Sunday. We ought to see them off with no trouble. But we are Arsenal football club, and that means we have to do everything the hard way. Last year we almost blew it against lowly Hull; just four years ago we managed to throw away… Read more »
Hope you feel better now…
You must be devastated that we won.
This are the the sort of experienced decent professionals you want the young lads sorrounding themselves with so ofcourse he should stay.
Legs are gone but hair still getting better with age. Just sign da ting
It will be nice to see arsenal fc win this cup again well said mikel coyg.
It’s not difficult to see why this man is club captain. He’s undoubtedly a wonderful influence on those around him.
Trying to shift the knot in my stomach with lager…it’s not working…COYG!
Can picture him in a role like Ryan Gibbs had his last year or two, though not sure if Arteta would go for that or not. Would love to see him stay, but if we sign a younger DM like Schnederlin or Carvalho (or even Vidal) I don’t see him getting much, if any, game time. It’s a shame for him the year has gone like it has, but obviously his being out opened the door for Coquelin.
What a day I have had. Arriving from Glasgow, wandering around London asking a very important
question……What do you think of Tottenham?
The response has been universal
Is a 33 y.o. too old to keep playing or injuries are the ones to blame for the few negative comments about Arteta?
I ♥ Arteta
It won’t be a surprise to me if one day, this guy who has the best hair, would be The Arsenal manager….