Pochettino praises Arsenal man who is ‘so clever’ and backs him to shine

Former Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino has given praise to the Gunners’ new boss as the club enters another era, starting on Thursday. 

Arsenal appeared to have a variety of options to choose from as they searched for a replacement after the departure of Unai Emery at the end of November.

In a decision which has proven to be slightly controversial due to the Spaniard’s lack of experience, the Gunners decided to name Mikel Arteta as the new manager on Friday.

The 37-year-old, who is now one of the youngest ever head coaches in the club’s long history, will be guiding his new side in a competitive affair for the first time when they face Bournemouth on Thursday afternoon.

And ahead of Arteta’s big debut at the Vitality stadium, Mauricio Pochettino, who knows the ex-midfielder very well, has praised the Gunners’ boss for being ‘clever’ enough to handle his new role.

“I wish him all the best of course. He’s a very good friend of mine, we met in Paris Saint Germain, he was very young, I was captain of Paris Saint Germain and it’ll be interesting to see him in the dug-out,” said Pochettino, as per the Mirror

“Yes, but you make me a very, very old man. I think big brother is better than like a father. I wish him all the best, he deserves big success in football.

“He is so clever, I hope he can enjoy the new position in his career in football because he’s been an assistant and now to be on the touchline as a manager, coach or head coach in this case is different. But he has experience and the knowledge to do a great job.”