Seamus feels bad for Frank
and the way he understands our way of playing — he is a player that will fit in really well with what we want to do.”
Arsenal have dropped only seven points over the first half of the Premier League campaign — two of them at rock-bottom Southampton — and Arteta recognises the danger awaiting his front-runners at Sean Dyche’s baptism of fire as Everton manager.
Struggles
He is also pained by his former club’s struggles, saying: “It hurts, especially because of the years that I had there as a player, the gratitude I feel towards the club, the love I feel towards the club.
“From the bottom of my heart, I hope they can turn this around. Everton are going to ask different questions of us to Manchester United in our last league games but, for sure, they will be difficult questions to answer.”
Fewer than two years ago, with football still in lockdown, thousands of fans picketed the Emirates in animated protest against Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke ahead of a dismal home defeat by Everton.
Now the boot is on the other foot, with the Toffees fan base in revolt against chairman Bill Kenwright and owner Farhad Moshiri.
Arteta observed: “At the moment we have a very stable and energised atmosphere around the club.
SEAMUS COLEMAN has admitted Everton’s players are aware of the role they played in Frank Lampard losing his job.
The Blues parted company with the 44-year-old after a wretched run of results left the club stuck in the bottom three at the midway stage of the Premier League season.
The pair’s tight-knit relationship has ensured the right-back has felt a sense of responsibility for Lampard’s dismissal.
Tough
what we have done on the pitch and what I have done as a captain as well.
“We wish Frank all the very best. He gave his all to the football club and did a great job keeping us up last year.
“Now we have got a new manager in, and we all need to do our best.”
Reassured by the instant impact of Lampard’s successor, Sean Dyche, Coleman (34) has stressed the team are buying into his measured methods.
“He did not manage in the Premier League for 10 or 11 years without having something about him.
“We are still within touching distance of a lot of teams so I would like to flip all the negativity into thinking we can turn this around.”
“But it takes a lot to build it and very little to lose it, so the most important thing is that we play well, win football matches and we’ll be fine.”
Hopeful
Arteta is hopeful Arsenal can follow up Gabriel Martinelli’s contract renewal by tying down William Saliba and Bukayo Saka to new deals.
Emile Smith Rowe signed a new long-term contract 18 months ago, with Saliba and
Saka the next on Arsenal’s list.
Both players are out of contract next summer but are in talks over extensions.