Mikel Arteta is in midst of creating a special team at Arsenal, claims Pep Guardiola
Pep Guardiola has confessed that Mikel Arteta has already started creating something special at Arsenal despite signing for the club less than six months ago. The two sides are set to clash in the FA Cup semi-finals on Saturday with it being one of Arsenalās few chances at European football.
Arteta left Manchester City in December and signed for Arsenal as their third manager of the season with the Spaniard making a few notable changes to the club already. However, while wins over Manchester United, Wolves and Liverpool have shown that Arteta is changing things at the club, their position in the league table is still a concern. The Gunners sit three points away from European football and with only two games left in the season, they would need a miracle to overcome the difference.
However, while the FA Cup provides the club with another road to Europa League football, they face Manchester City in the semi-finals with one of Chelsea or Manchester United in the final. The latter is only if they get through a side that they havenāt beaten in a long time but City boss Pep Guardiola has admitted that the Gunners and his former assistant coach are creating something special. He also added that the North London side need the right person to take them back to the top and he believes Arteta is that man.
"I expect a tough, tough game. They have something special already, they have a team spirit Mikel has created. I see from the side how they celebrate goals, how they fight for every ball. They have begun to create something special for the club. We approach Arsenal like we do the other ones,ā Guardiola told Sky Sports.
"Arsenal were one of the elite clubs in English football for the last 20, 30 years. I am pretty sure the right person to take them back to the position they were. When the club supports him there is no better person to do the job than Mikel. I have the feeling he is creating something unique. If he can be supported by the club with investment, get the players they need, they can be contenders for the next years."