Mikel Arteta has reflected on his five years at Arsenal as he approaches his landmark 250th game in charge of the club on Saturday.
The Catalan boss first arrived in north London in 2019 after a successful spell as Pep Guardiola's assistant at Manchester City. Arteta immediately had big boots to fill, taking over from legendary boss Arsene Wenger after his immense 22 year career with the Gunners came to an end.
Since his arrival, Arteta has brought clear success to the Emirates, winning the FA Cup in 2019/20 as well as two Community Shields. He's come close to lifting the Premier League trophy on numerous occasions, falling just behind City both last season and the campaign prior.
Arteta will lead his 250th game for Arsenal when they face Nottingham Forest on Saturday and has taken some time to look back on his time in north London.
"I'm extremely grateful," he told reporters on Friday. "I'm very happy, and I've enjoyed every minute of it because of the people that I work with every single day and because I understand how lucky I am to be sitting where I am, and you always want more.
"I feel a huge pride to see the people that work in our organisation and how they feel about the club right now, and what we transmit as a football club and as a team. But it is about winning and the end, I want more, I want big trophies and we are on that journey."
When asked to detail what his greatest achievement had been over the last five years, Arteta ignored the silverware and look towards the wider impact of his reign.
"Bringing the club together, 100%," he continued. "Lifting the spirit and giving a very clear DNA to the football club and setting it right again to be representing this club and this football shirt, from the players to everybody who works at the club in the way that is expected at this level."
Arsenal return to action on Saturday and will be keen to improve on their results from before the November international break. The Gunners failed to win their last four Premier League fixtures, last recording a league victory against Southampton in October.
READ THE LATEST ARSENAL NEWS, TRANSFER RUMOURS & GOSSIP
feed
