Former Arsenal striker reveals how one Gunners legend helped Mikel Arteta become a manager, he gives his verdict on Arteta’s performance

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Arsenal have come a long way under the guidance of Mikel Arteta in his five year reign so far at the club.

Arteta inherited a side from Unai Emery languishing in mid-table, with a squad that had an extremely high wage bill and a work ethic that was far from what was needed to compete for major honours.

Fast-forward five years and Arteta has moulded an Arsenal side that oozes hard-work, resilience and still has a chance to win three major honours in the season.

It is an incredible turn around for the club and one that shows great credit to the manager and how he has changed the culture and philosophy around the Arsenal first-team squad.

One former Gunners striker has also been reflecting on Arteta’s reign as Arsenal manager and revealed that he could tell the Spaniard would make a great manager from their playing days together.

Lukas Podolski reveals how he ‘always knew’ Mikel Arteta would become a manager

Speaking to The Athletic, former Arsenal forward Lukas Podolski has revealed how he always knew that Arteta would end up becoming a manager. The pair played together for a number of seasons at the club.

Podolski stated: “He was captain, and I saw that he would become a coach. He was always a guy more interested than just the training or 90 minutes.”

The former Germany striker, who played 82 times for the Gunners, also revealed how Arsene Wenger played a huge part in Arteta’s development.

Podolski revealed: “You always saw him talking to Arsene after training, and he would tell the players what we can do better tactically. He always spoke on the pitch, so you could see he had the talent to be a great coach.”

Now back playing in the Polish League for Gornik Zabrze, Podolski has also stated that he believes Arteta is doing a ‘great job’ and will soon win Arsenal the Premier League.

Arteta sends message to Arsenal board in latest press conference

In order to win that elusive Premier League crown, Mikel Arteta has sent a message to the Arsenal board regarding the team’s lack of goals and options in forward areas.

Arteta is desperate for the club to dip into the transfer market but deals for Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha are becoming increasingly unlikely.

One market opportunity for the Gunners could be available over in Dortmund. Arsenal should sign Karim Adeyemi and could use Oleksandr Zinchenko as part of any deal.

If Arsenal are to complete Podolski’s wishes and claim a trophy this season, they need to act fast in the market before time runs out.