Pep Guardiola comments on Mikel Arteta’s progress at Arsenal

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola believes that his compatriot Mikel Arteta is doing a ‘great job’ at Arsenal. 

He has also claimed that his former number two at Manchester City is ‘incredibly happy’ at his new club. Arteta left the assistant manager role of the Premier League champions in December for his first full-time manager's job at his former club Arsenal.

It is a huge thing to start one's managerial career at an iconic club like Arsenal but Arteta also took a massive risk as there is plenty of risk involved with the Arsenal hot seat. The north London club have been on the decline in recent times and steadying the ship will be a monumental task.

Since returning to north London, Arteta has guided his side to just one win in seven Premier League games, while Sunday’s goalless draw against Burnley put another major blow in their hopes of securing a top-four finish. 

Despite that, Guardiola has nothing but praise for his former deputy for the start he has had with Arsenal. Asked if he believes if the Citizens are missing Arteta and if he has spoken to his former assistant, Guardiola said after his side’s defeat to Tottenham on Sunday: “I know he is incredibly happy there. He is doing a great job.”

“His team when I saw some games are doing really well and I am so happy for him," he further added.

Meanwhile, former Liverpool defender turned TV pundit Jamie Carragher has stated that it would be wrong to judge Arteta this season and the Gunners will show signs of improvement only after the manager is given the funds to strengthen his squad in the summer.

“I think they have actually deserved more in certain games,” Carragher told Sky Sports.

“I think the Chelsea one was the real big standout one that really hurt them to lose that game.”

“I think at this moment Arsenal, and I have been in this position plenty of times with Liverpool, where you get to the middle of January, February and you almost feel like you have not got that much to play for.”

“They have not, they are not going to get in the top four, they are not going to obviously go down. Obviously they have got the cup competitions but the real big thing is actually getting back in the Champions League and challenging for the Premier League.”

“I do not think performances are ever more important than results but where Arsenal are at now, I think people want to see something that can change only in the summer. I think Mikel Arteta was asked there ‘How do you change it?’ – it is find better players.”

”He is putting what he wants in there, they are a lot more aggressive, they are pushing higher up, the back four are pushing up, it was a massive problem for them how deep they were in so many games.”

“But that will only change with better players because you still see that line up there for Arsenal that is not good enough.”

Cover image credits: talkSPORT