Arsenal executive opens up on under-fire Arteta's future

Questions have been raised over the under-fire Gunners manager’s future following a poor run of results.

Arsenal chief executive Vinai Venkatesham has seemingly ended doubts over Mikel Arteta’s future by describing the manager as a ‘really powerful individual’ while also backing his credentials.

Despite a positive start to his reign as Unai Emery’s replacement, which included FA Cup and Community Shield success, Arteta has experienced a difficult period in his first full campaign in charge.

Six defeats in the Gunners’ last nine Premier League games has caused them to slip down to 15th in the standings. Hopes of a top-four finish appear remote, with questions now being raised regarding Arteta.

“With Mikel, we have got a number of things,” Venkatesham told The Times.

“You’ve got an individual who has extraordinary experience in the Premier League across his time at Arsenal, Everton, Manchester City and then back at Arsenal.

“You have got a guy that loves this club and understands what it means to play for this club, and he was obviously captain here. You’ve got a guy who is a real team player.

“The team he’s formed with technical director Edu – and also his staff – is really strong. You’ve got a guy who is absolutely driven to succeed, but doing it in a way that respects our history and traditions.

“I think with him we have got a really powerful individual.”