Cesc Fabregas discussed Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta back in 2020 and insisted he would be a good fit for the Gunners as the players were “fascinated” by him.
Two years on, Fabregas’ assessment appears to have rung true as Arteta has guided Arsenal five points clear at the top of the Premier League table with just 13 games of the season left to play. While the title is still up for grabs and by no means a foregone conclusion, the fact that the Gunners boss has got the youngest team in the division this far is a remarkable feat.
Arteta was appointed as Gunners boss in December 2019, replacing Unai Emery in the Emirates hot seat in what was the former Arsenal midfielder’s first-ever management role. His only prior coaching experience had come as Pep Guardiola’s assistant at Manchester City.
Speaking in late 2020, Fabregas revealed his optimism over what the future had in store for Arsenal with Arteta at the helm.
“They have a new project, I believe what Mikel [Arteta] is doing is nice,” the 2010 World Cup winner told the Daily Mail.
“The players are fascinated by how he came in and changed the training ground, the methodology, how he prepares for games. He makes it easier for his teams to understand how to attack, how to defend – I like his ideas, all I’m hearing is positive.”