‘There was instant change’: Michael Thomas admits key Arsenal man has proved him wrong

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Arsenal legend Michael Thomas has revealed that he was sceptical when the club decided to replace Unai Emery with Mikel Arteta over a year ago.

The former Gunners striker, who famously helped us win the league at Anfield, didn’t buy into the hype of the Spaniard learning under Pep Guardiola.

He was of the firm opinion that a combination of Steve Bould, Patrick Vieira and Dennis Bergkamp should have taken over at Arsenal, but it didn’t go his way.

Almost 14 months and two trophies later, Thomas has admitted that Arteta has proved him wrong. He now believes that the Spaniard is the right man for the job and has urged the board to give him the players he demands.

Thomas: I was sceptical about Arteta

Speaking in association with the Jason Roberts Foundation, as quoted by TalkSport, he said: “I thought a set-up of Steve Bould, Dennis Bergkamp, Patrick Vieira would have been the perfect combo for what Arsenal needed.

“They know the club inside out and wouldn’t sign any old players – unless they were right for the club. Patrick obviously has experience of managing in America and France as well, but that didn’t materialise.

“I saw in the media a lot about Mikel Arteta being Pep Guardiola’s right-hand man and being a major part of his success at City. He’s obviously a top coach, but Pep would have won things without Mikel – like he did at Barcelona and Bayern Munich.

“I was sceptical when he first came in, but to be fair to him there was an instant change in the team. When he cut out players who weren’t good for the team – I thought to myself ‘I like this man’. It showed he takes no prisoners and stamped down his mark on the team.

“He still hasn’t got his players in and the squad he wants. You’ve got to give Arteta time; people laud Klopp but it took him time to put the team together that he has now.”

Arsenal Insider’s view:

Thomas is right, Arteta is the right man for the job.

The Spaniard did incredibly well to lift the FA Cup and the Community Shield last year. He oversaw the club during the most challenging period in history, and despite a poor run in November and December, we are in decent shape.

Arteta should now focus on ending the season on a high. Arsenal have to get back into Europe and if we can somehow make our way into the Champions League – either by finishing in the top four or by winning the Europa League – this will be viewed as a hugely successful campaign.