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Per Mertesacker responds when asked Mikel Arteta and his future at Arsenal
that Mikel Arteta deserves the time to make Arsenal a Champions League club again.
The Spaniard has relieved some pressure on his shoulders, after guiding the Gunners to two 1-0 wins over Norwich City, and then away at Burnley.
It comes after three straight losses in the league, losing to Brentford, Manchester City and Chelsea. But Arsenal had their problems initially.
Among the fanbase, it appears pretty split. Some want a change and a different approach, some want to give Arteta the time to improve Arsenal.
Mertesacker, the manager of Arsenal’s academy, urged fans to place their trust in Arteta and explained the need for long-term development.
“I hope he gets the time he needs,” Mertesacker said. “A lot of people are impatient. I want to be successful tomorrow, Champions League tomorrow.
“I want to tell people we have the best club in the world, challenging for titles. That’s not a reality. We are in a big, big transition.
“We need trust. Let’s give Arteta the trust and let him develop a squad that is capable of delivering Champions League football in two or three years.”
Mertesacker on Arteta: Long-term growth is key at Arsenal
Mertesacker also explains why a long-term plan is needed after Arsene Wenger.
After such a long time under Wenger, Arsenal were always going to take time to adapt. Things had gone stale under the French gaffer.
Long-term growth is a factor that all clubs want. They want to put in the foundations of sustainability and development for years to come.
But it is difficult to find that balance alongside immediate success and pressure from fans. Arteta is receiving the brunt of that at the moment.
A new manager, though, will hardly change anything. Patience and time is needed from Arsenal fans – but as Mertesacker says, impatience is aplenty.
