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Arteta appointed as Arsenal manager: 'This is a huge honor'

Stuart MacFarlane / Arsenal FC / Getty

The wait is over.

Arsenal brought an end to their search for a new permanent manager on Friday by announcing the appointment of Mikel Arteta.

The former Arsenal midfielder returns to the Emirates Stadium after signing a long-term contract that runs until the summer of 2023.

"This is a huge honor," Arteta said. "Arsenal is one of the biggest clubs in the world. We need to be competing for the top trophies in the game and that’s been made very clear to me in my discussions with Stan and Josh Kroenke, and the senior people from the club.

"We all know there is a lot of work to be done to achieve that but I am confident we'll do it. I’m realistic enough to know it won’t happen overnight but the current squad has plenty of talent and there is a great pipeline of young players coming through from the academy."

Arsenal revealed that Arteta's coaching staff will be announced in the near future.

In the meantime, caretaker Freddie Ljungberg is expected to be on the touchline for Arsenal's trip to Goodison Park on Saturday when the Gunners take on Arteta's other former club, Everton.

The 37-year-old Arteta spent five years in north London before retiring in 2016 and then joining Pep Guardiola's coaching staff at Manchester City.

Arsenal had been looking for a new manager since Unai Emery's tenure ended in November. Emery was in charge for less than two years and had overseen a string of poor performances before being sacked.

Reports indicate the club initially preferred to stick with Ljungberg until the end of this season but intensified the managerial search in recent days after winning just one of five matches under the Swede.

There were various managers being linked with the opening at the Emirates Stadium. Carlo Ancelotti, Massimiliano Allegri, Mauricio Pochettino, Marcelino and former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira were reportedly being considered for the role.

However, Arsenal's pursuit of Arteta picked up steam earlier this week when club officials traveled to his Manchester home to discuss the vacancy.

(Source: Arsenal)

The club's head of football, Raul Sanllehi, said: "We met several top-class candidates and Mikel stood out to every single one of us as the perfect person for us. Mikel understands Arsenal Football Club and what it means to our fans around the world. We look forward to him getting down to work and bringing the best out of our squad as we work to get our season back on track.

"I must also pay tribute to Freddie Ljungberg for his hard work and leadership. Together with (interim assistant manager) Per Mertesacker, he has done a vital job for us in difficult circumstances. Freddie and Per are important parts of the Arsenal family and care deeply for this club."

Arsenal have slipped to 10th in the Premier League table after winning just one of their last nine league matches.

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