Mikel Arteta Drills Arsenal Team As Manager For The First Time

*Arteta, dishing out instructions on the training ground
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Arsenal new manager, Mikel Arteta (MA) finally took his first training session since becoming Arsenal boss. The 37-year-old got down to work with his players and was seen running, playing and dishing out instructions to Arsenal players yesterday.

The Spaniard joined the Gunners from Manchester Cite, where he was assistant manager under Pep Guardiola. The Gunners former midfielder takes over from caretaker manager Freddie Ljungberg after City failed to assure him that he would be the successor to Guardiola. The session seemed to mainly involve players who didn’t feature in Arsenal’s 0-0 draw with Everton, where Arteta was watching on from the stands alongside the club’s hierarchy.

Arteta was animated as he delivered his first coaching session to the players – an attribute he would have likely picked up from Guardiola at City. Star players Alexandre Lacazette, Nicolas Pepe, Matteo Guendouzi and Mesut Ozil were all involved in training, playing competitive small-sided drills. Ozil took part at the Arsenal Training Centre despite all the criticism he has received after his substitution spat against Manchester City that led him to not being included in the matchday squad for the Everton match.

Arteta was getting right down to business with his new group as he has a busy schedule to get him started. Arsenal face Bournemouth on Boxing Day before two tough fixtures against Chelsea and Manchester United either side of New Years. The 37-year-old watched on from the stands as his new side struggled against Everton in an uninspiring performance. All eyes will be on Arsenal’s trip to the Vitality Stadium on December 26 to see whether Arteta’s, albeit short, time on the training pitch will have an instant impact on a lack luster Arsenal team.

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