Arsenal news: Expert hails Mikel Arteta after what he’s seen – ‘it’s huge for the club’
Noel Whelan has hailed Mikel Arteta for returning the “attractive style of play and identity” to Arsenal and claimed the club’s fans “have a lot to be proud of”.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed the 40-year-old’s Gunners rebuild is “ahead of schedule” despite missing out on Champions League qualification in the final weeks of the season.
Arsenal finished fifth behind rivals Tottenham – who sealed a 3-0 win over Arteta’s side earlier this month (12 May) to flip the momentum in the top-four race.
The Spaniard’s squad had an average age of just 24.4 – the lowest in the Premier League for the 2021-22 season.
Whelan also hailed the Gunners’ transfer business, claiming the signings of centre-back duo Ben White and Gabriel were “masterstrokes”.
“I do believe that Arteta is still ahead of schedule in terms of going for that return to the Champions League,” he told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury.
“You’ve got to give him great credit, as well as the backroom staff who worked with these youngsters and brought in these signings.
“White and Gabriel have been masterstrokes.
“They’ve got the balance almost spot on – it’s just a lack of firepower which let them down.
“The fans have a lot to be proud of in their team and their manager.
“I don’t think anyone expected Arsenal to get into that top four at the start of the season, so to be disappointed about missing out just shows how far they’ve come.
“Their attractive style of play and identity is back to where it was when you used to love watching Arsenal.
“Arteta has brought the era of your Henry’s and your Bergkamp’s back – and that’s huge for the club.”
In other news, expert claims youngster could replace Arsenal “liability” as transfer stance confirmed.