ARSENAL legend Ian Wright was praised by fans for his insight after a clip reemerged of him predicting Mikel Arteta’s success at the club.
Arsene Wenger rolled credits on his glittering 22-year reign with the Gunners back in 2018 and the club was rigorously searching for the right successor that would carry them for the next years to come.
6 years ago today, @IanWright0 said that he wanted Mikel Arteta as The Arsenal's next manager
— Gunners (@Gunnersc0m) May 13, 2024pic.twitter.com/iB9aO9byJ6
The job went to Unai Emery, but Arteta was already being eyed a year before he replaced his fellow Spaniard who failed to live up to expectations in north London.
And Wright was adamant the former Arsenal player, who then worked as Pep Guardiola’s assistant at Manchester City, had what it took to carry on Wenger’s work at the Emirates.
The legendary striker joined Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer on Match of the Day six years ago and insisted Arteta‘s knowledge of the club as well as his experience under Guardiola made him the right option.
Wright said: “I quite like the feel of Mikel Arteta. You need to take a chance on people, we took a chance on Wenger,
“I think he’s somebody who knows the club, he’s been under Pep for a couple of years seeing what he’s been doing.
“I think those players need a bit of a kick up the backside and I think he might be the man to do it.”
Wright’s analysis reemerged on Twitter and Arsenal fans praised the former England international for hitting the nail right on the head with his prediction.
One fan tweeted: “This is the real ahead of the curve.”
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Another commented: “Wrighty knew the move.”
A third said: “Wrighty never misses.”
This fan said: “He saw everything before anyone.”
And that one stated: “He saw the future and it was bright.”
Arteta swiftly changed the culture of the club by offloading heavy contracts of star players that caused tensions and replaced them with young as well as ambitious players who fit with his philosophy.
And now the Spanish tactician is leading Arsenal in their bid to win their first Premier League title since the Invincibles’ triumph in 2004.
By Jordan Davies
ARSENAL are stepping up plans to sign a world-class striker in the summer after their Champions League heartbreak.
Mikel Arteta splashed out £204.5m last summer on Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber.
But the Spanish manager accepts he needs a proven goalscorer to take the club to the next level.
And here are the players he is looking at to get the Gunners firing:
BENJAMIN SESKO (RB Leipzig, value £40m-£45m)
One for the future at 20 years old. Scored 16 goals for RB Salzburg in the Austrian Bundesliga last season and the Slovenian has carried on that good form in Germany with Leipzig this campaign.
VIKTOR GYOKERES (Sporting Lisbon, value £60m-£80m)
Been scouted several times this season. The Swedish striker, 25, is more of a traditional No 9 so may not suit Arsenal’s demand for flexibility but would bring a physicality that boss Mikel Arteta craves.
ALEXANDER ISAK (Newcastle, value £75m-£85m)
Impressed in his first two seasons in English football. The Swede, 24, has the pace and finesse to match his finishing ability, and Eddie Howe’s Toon may need to sell to balance the books this summer.
JOSHUA ZIRKZEE (Bologna, value £45m-£50m)
Dutch wonder is attracting the attentions of clubs across Europe. At 6ft 4in the 22-year-old forward would have no trouble adapting to the Premier League and already has an eye for goal.
XAVI SIMONS (RB Leipzig, value £70m-£80m)
An incredible talent in the Bukayo Saka mould, currently on loan from Paris Saint-Germain. The future of the Dutch attacker, 20, depends on how much money his parent club want to make from him.
