‘Arsenal made a mistake in appointing Arteta’ – Gallas

Robin Bairner

• 2 Jun 2021 10:46 BST
• 2 min read

Arsenal have been told that Mikel Arteta was not prepared for the job he found himself in at the Emirates Stadium.

Arteta took over as Gunners boss in December 2019 following the departure of Unai Emery.

READ MORE: Arteta under pressure – who could replace him as Arsenal manager?

However, the appointment has not gone according to play. Arteta’s record is poorer than the one that Emery put together, while the Gunners finished the Premier League season in eighth spot – no better than last term, which was their poorest since 1994/95.

William Gallas, who left Arsenal in 2010, a year before Areta joined as a player, says that the magnitude of the job was too great for an inexperienced coach.

“Mikel Arteta was not ready yet to manage a club like Arsenal,” the former Arsenal and France defender told The Sun.

“OK, he was assistant coach at Manchester City. But he had never managed a team. It is completely different.

“The board made a mistake picking him. I’m sure he will be a great manager but you need to have experience to manage a big club.

Arteta’s Arsenal record

“To be honest, it is a great shame for the Arsenal fans after finishing eighth.

“Arsenal is not the same Arsenal we knew 18, 20 years ago. We had players who were strong, with strong personalities.”

Arteta’s position, however, does not appear to have come under a great deal of threat considering the club’s fall. Nevertheless, Arsenal will not take part in European football next season, having missed out on a spot in the inaugural UEFA Conference League to Tottenham on the final day of the Premier League season.