Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has claimed that midfielder Mikel Arteta has the leadership qualities to be a good coach.
The 34-year-old Spaniard made ten appearances for the Gunners in a campaign during which he endured injuries to his calf and ankle that kept him out of action for numerous games.
Arteta was given an emotional send-off by the Gunners during their 4-0 win over Aston Villa on the final day of the season, when he scored.
The former Everton midfielder, who has previously plied his trade with Rangers, is poised to take up a coaching role after hanging up his boots.
Arsenal finished second in the Premier League season following a major slip-up by arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur, who lost to Newcastle United by a shocking 5-1 scoreline on the last day of the season.
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Wenger has claimed that Arteta is someone who has got the leadership skills to be a good coach.
The Frenchman told the official Arsenal website: “First of all he was the captain of the team, so he has leadership qualities.
“He is a winner and he is focused every day to do well.
“He has an impact on his partners. That is a little bit difficult to explain sometimes, but I believe he is highly focused on football. He has a passion, like Spanish people do, for the game”, he added
“When you get to 30 you start to envisage your life and your future without playing football.
“Slowly it matures inside you and there was never a doubt in my mind, the way I see him behave every day that he would finish in football and I think he will do very well.”
