Arsenal chief 'seriously considering' approach for former skipper Mikel Arteta to replace outgoing Arsene Wenger
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Arsenal are seriously considering hiring Mikel Arteta as their next manager, with the former Gunners midfielder high on their shortlist.
According to the Sun, supremo Ivan Gazidis fancies the Spaniard for the position after the ex-skipper has impressed while on the backroom staff at Man City.
Gazidis is reportedly looking to be "bold" after 22 years with Wenger in charge and Arteta would signify a move in that direction.
The chief executive reportedly told over 200 members of the club staff that replacing Wenger will be a tough and exhaustive process.
He played over 100 times for the Gunners before retiring and learning his trade from Pep Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium.
(Image: Clive Brunskill)
Mustafi insists he wants Emirates stay
Arsenal defender Shkodran Mustafi has opened up about his Gunners future after facing criticism in recent weeks for his 'under par' performances.
Martin Keown was one of his harshest critics saying on Match of the Day: “[Arsenal's defence] is really quite appalling. Mustafi seems to still be making the same mistakes he made earlier this season."
(Image: AFP)
Former Man United defender Nemanja Vidic also laid into him, saying the German "doesn't know what's going on around him."
And whilst the centre-half admits he's had a tough season, he claimed he has absolutely no plans for a career elsewhere.
Read more here.
Mertesacker: Players must share blame
Per Mertesacker has admitted Arsenal’s players have to share the blame for Arsene Wenger’s departure.
Arsenal stalwart Mertesacker admits the current squad have to take responsibility for the club falling behind which has led to Wenger leaving.
It was Mertesacker who led a dressing room rallying cry after Wenger’s bombshell news on Friday and the Germany defender insists they must give him a glorious farewell.
(Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Mertesacker said: “We sit here in one boat and we have not been that successful over the past couple of years. We won trophies, we won the FA Cup, but in terms of achieving Champions League football every season we have not done it.
“In terms of top four finishes, we are not able to achieve it this season. We have been out performed by other teams and you have to admit that.
“There are a lot of people responsible, not only the manager. It has not sunk in enough to say we are guilty, but we are as well responsible for the situation."
Read more here.