Delph thought ‘please don’t!’ after Arteta’s Arsenal links

Matt Stead

Fabian Delph was delighted that “pivotal” Mikel Arteta was not appointed Arsenal manager this summer.

Arteta was one of the leading candidates to replace Arsene Wenger as Arsenal manager before Unai Emery was eventually chosen.

Pep Guardiola’s assistant manager at Manchester City, Arteta has forged a fine coaching reputation since his retirement from playing.

Delph, a member of Gareth Southgate’s 23-man England World Cup squad, has credited his former rival with his continued development.

“Mikel Arteta has been so pivotal for me,” Delph told the Daily Telegraph. “One of the reasons I have stayed at the club is because he saw the qualities in me and he knew I was available to do the role they wanted me to do.

“I’ve got them all to thank. I think Mikel would be a fantastic manager. When the rumours were circulating about him leaving, I was thinking ‘please don’t!’

“We get on very well as do all the players and staff. We’ve got a great energy and that energy is similar to what we’ve got here with England.”

 

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