- Mikel Arteta is on the verge of succeeding Unai Emery after agreeing to a £5million-a-year contract with Arsenal
- Areta spent five years at the Emirates where he played as a midfielder under Arsene Wenger
- Meanwhile, it remains to be seen if the north London outfit will retain Freddie Ljungberg in the club's coaching staff
Legendary Arsenal boss, Arsene Wenger, has backed the club's move to approach Mikel Arteta over the vacant Emirates job.
The Gunners are in search of Unai Emery's permanent replacement, days after the Spaniard was handed marching orders following a string of poor results.
Areta spent five years at the Emirates where he played as a midfielder under Arsene Wenger. Photo: Getty Images.
Source: Getty Images
Arteta, who spent five years at the Emirates is now said to be on the verge of taking over at the north London club having agreed a £5million-a-year contract to take over.
And speaking on the Man City assistant manager's imminent arrival at Arsenal, Wenger said he will support whoever is in charge at the Emirates.
"Look I am an Arsenal supporter – I said that in my last speech," Wenger told Sky Sports
"At the moment I support the manager in charge, and the manager in charge is [Freddie] Ljungberg. When Arteta will be in charge, I will support Arteta," he added.
Wenger identified Arteta as a potential future coach while he was still a player and spoke highly of the Spaniard when he was first linked with the Arsenal role.
At the time, the former midfielder was in the frame to take over from the Frenchman when he left Arsenal in the summer of 2018, but the north London club settled on Emery.
"He has all the qualities to do the job. And I see as well that he’s one of the favourites [to replace me]," Wenger said in 2018 according to Metro UK.
