MIKEL ARTETA has received Arsenal’s unconditional backing despite overseeing the club’s worst start to a Premier League season.
The under-fire Spaniard was handed an extraordinary message of support from technical director Edu.
Edu has given his backing to Arteta, tipping Arsenal for a ‘big and beautiful’ futureCredit: Reuters
Arsenal are currently in the midst of their worst-ever start to a PL seasonCredit: Reuters
The ex-midfielder insisted: “Everything here is right and if you see the way we’re going, I can see a big, big, big and beautiful future.”
It is a remarkable show of faith which will stun supporters, who have seen their team lose seven of their last ten Premier League games to drop to within five points of the relegation zone.
Yet Edu is adamant there is no question of another change of manager as Arteta, 38, prepares to mark his first anniversary in the job this week.
The Brazilian denied growing rumours of dressing-room unrest.
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Edu said: “If we started to see internal problems, if the players didn’t believe any more or the staff was not good enough, I would say ‘I’m a bit worried’.
“But I am here every day from nine to six and I can see that everything is right.
“We knew it would not be easy when Mikel replaced Unai Emery but he is doing a great job and the way we’re going is making me believe a lot in the future.
“It’s very strange to be saying this considering where we are right now but our results do not compare with the quality of the work and the way we’re building things on a daily basis.
“I have started to hear rumours from outside the club that some of the players don’t believe in Mikel, that some of them have a problem and are not talking but it’s not right.
“Nothing like that has happened and I want people to understand because everybody believes in what we are doing and all the staff are enjoying it.
“So I am here to give you the word that everything is fine internally and though the results aren’t coming, I think we’re going to change it very soon.”
Arteta, who was promoted from head coach to manager in September, has a contract at the Emirates which runs until 2023.
And former Gunners midfielder Edu, who has been in charge of football operations since the shock departure of Raul Sanllehi in August, is adamant the Premier League’s youngest boss is not under threat of losing his job.
Edu, 42, said: “It would be very unfair if we were not patient with Mikel after all the challenges we have faced this year.
“This club needs stability. Since we arrived it’s been changing and changing and now it’s time to try to be a stable club again in the old sense.”
After spending £83million in the summer on Thomas Partey, Gabriel, Pablo Mari and Alex Runarsson – as well as freebie Willian – Edu ruled out the idea of Arsenal buying their way out of trouble in January.
He added: “Of course we will try to do something but if people are waiting for a magician like Lionel Messi to come in and change things, that’s not going to happen.
“We already have the squad, the manager and staff in the right place, so now it’s our responsibility to change it.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
