'Worked With Pep Guardiola, He Is Very Firm' - Iwobi Assesses Arteta's Suitability For Arsenal Job

Published: December 20, 2019

Everton and Nigeria winger Alex Iwobi on Friday expressed hopes that new Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta will be a success at the club and revealed that his former teammate impacted positively in his development at Arsenal's Hale End academy.

Ahead of Saturday's lunchtime clash between Everton and Arsenal at the Goodison Park, Arsenal on Friday unveiled Arteta who had worked with Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola between 2016 to date as permanent successor to sacked fellow Spaniard Unai Emery.

Arteta played for Arsenal between 2011 and 2016 before his retirement and was club captain under Frenchman Arsene Wenger.

"As you know it will be good for them. I'm speaking from my experience with him at the U21," Iwobi told Premier League Production on Friday evening.

"When he was injured, we trained together because at the time he would come and train with the U21, so for me he helped me a lot.

"He was a player that taught me a lot, to do the basics and express myself so I'm sure that he will be able to share his experience at Arsenal because he has worked with Pep Guardiola."

Despite his easygoing mien, Iwobi did reveal that Arteta could be a firm character albeit for the development of the players and team in general.

"He (Arteta) will let the players do the basic stuff and have them enjoy their game. He's very firm but at the same time will give the players that freedom to express themselves and it will help the team," Iwobi concluded.

Three-time UEFA Champions League winner as coach, Ancelotti was reportedly keen to be handed the Arsenal job but the board opted for Arteta who narrowly missed out to Emery in 2018.

The Spaniard has signed a three-and-a-half-year deal with the Gunners.

Izuchukwu Okosi

Photo Credit : evertonfc.com