%20rotate(-8.06)%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22336.19%20136.81%20330.16%2094.25%20326.06%2071.19%20326.44%2071.13%20335.22%2093.54%20352.29%20134.52%20373.95%20131.46%20362.7%2052.01%20350.02%2053.8%20356.05%2096.36%20360.15%20119.42%20359.77%20119.48%20350.99%2097.08%20333.91%2056.09%20312.25%2059.15%20323.51%20138.6%20336.19%20136.81%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22402.91%2059.3%20412.36%20126.02%20427.17%20123.92%20417.72%2057.21%20431.59%2055.24%20429.79%2042.51%20387.23%2048.53%20389.04%2061.27%20402.91%2059.3%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22463.51%20118.77%20458.69%2084.71%20474.68%2082.44%20479.51%20116.5%20494.36%20114.4%20483.11%2034.95%20468.26%2037.06%20472.96%2070.25%20456.96%2072.52%20452.26%2039.32%20437.4%2041.43%20448.65%20120.88%20463.51%20118.77%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22540.5%20107.87%20538.77%2095.68%20518.91%2098.49%20515.77%2076.29%20535.63%2073.47%20533.93%2061.5%20514.07%2064.32%20511.11%2043.42%20530.98%2040.61%20529.25%2028.42%20494.53%2033.34%20505.78%20112.78%20540.5%20107.87%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22299.03%20155.17%20301.29%20171.58%20542.78%20138.39%20540.5%20121.97%20299.03%20155.17%22%2F%3E%0A%3C%2Fsvg%3E)
5 reasons for Arsenal fans to be optimistic about Mikel Arteta
By LTArsenal
According to various news outlets, Mikel Arteta has emerged as the favourite to take over as Arsenal’s next manager. While fans might have wanted a more proven option, here are five reasons to be optimistic about his appointment.
Two years ago, Mikel Arteta was playing his last game for Arsenal. He was visibly in tears as his time at the club came to an end. He might have not always been a fan favourite at the Emirates, but he always filled in wherever the team required him to. And now, he could be about to succeed Arsene Wenger in the toughest job on world football.
Catch the latest episode of the Pain in the Arsenal podcast right here
Here are five reasons to be optimistic about the appointment.
5. He’s up for the challenge
One of the darkest phases at Arsenal in recent times was back in 2011, during the aftermath of that infamous 8-2 defeat against Manchester United.
The club was just one place above relegation, failing to win their opening three fixtures, and to make matters worse, had just lost Cesc Fabregas, who was the best player in the squad by some distance and had perhaps papered over some rather significant cracks.
Arsenal did not have the funds to go out and buy a top replacement as the club was in debt to pay off the Emirates stadium loan. So, on deadline day, the Gunners signed Mikel Arteta for a reported fee in the region of £10 million. He filled in admirably well and finished with six goals and two assists, making 29 appearances and helping the club finish 3rd. He was up for the challenge of succeeding a legend on that occasion. Why not again?