Mikel Arteta's First Arsenal News Conference Has Gone Viral, He's Done Exactly What He Promised

Mikel Arteta’s first press conference at Arsenal has resurfaced on social media and the Spaniard has been praised by fans for delivering on the promises he made at the time.

Former Arsenal midfielder Arteta was appointed head coach in December 2019, replacing his compatriot Unai Emery at the Emirates.

In his first news conference, Arteta set out his vision for the club - promising to implement his own football philosophy and vowing to banish the negativity that had surrounded Arsenal since the latter years of Arsene Wenger's reign.

Arteta is now finally seeing the results of his efforts, with the Gunners now in a strong position to finish in the Champions League places this season. His side are currently fourth in the Premier League, one point ahead of Manchester United – having played three games less.

Arteta has been praised by fans for sticking to his principles despite the club’s slow start to the season, which saw them lose consecutive matches to Brentford, Chelsea and Manchester City.

Speaking at his unveiling back in 2019, Arteta said: “I have my ideas that I would like to keep to myself because I have to corroborate them when I see them act, when I see them behave, when I see them live together.

“I want to do things my way but by convincing them that it’s the right way for everyone to live better.

“Everybody has to respect each other first of all, and I want people who are accountable for what I ask them to do.

“I don’t want them hiding, I want people to take responsibility for their jobs and I want people who deliver passion and energy in the football club.”

Arteta has overseen a major overhaul of Arsenal’s squad, putting his trust in academy graduates Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith-Rowe and Gabriel Martinelli, while shipping out players who failed to see eye-to-eye with his methods.

Mesut Ozil, Matteo Guendouzi and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang have all left Arsenal after falling out with Arteta, who promised to rid the club of any disruptive elements at his unveiling.

“Anyone who doesn’t buy into this, or has a negative effect or whatever, is not good enough for this environment or this culture,” he said.

“There are things to change absolutely, because they’re not performing at the level we expect them to.

“I will have to help them and to help them, I need to know what’s happening. I need to understand what they’re feeling, what they’re lacking.

“If I get to reach that point, I can help them. Then they will trust me and follow me.”

Arsenal supporters have reacted positively to the video of Arteta’s first press conference.

One fan posted on Twitter: “Gotta give it to him. He actually stood to his principles.”

Another added: “Too few supporters recognise what a good coach Arteta is. He's worked hard to get control of dressing room and rid the club of disruptive elements.”

Arteta has now guided Arsenal to four consecutive wins in the Premier League, following Sunday’s 3-2 victory over Watford.

He will be hoping to extend that run when they next face Leicester at the Emirates on Sunday.