THINGS ARE GUNNER GET BETTER

Arteta can see ‘bright lights’ ahead as he looks to build on Norwich win

MIKEL ARTETA has told Arsenal fans he can see “bright lights” ahead.

The Gunners boss says he is full of optimism, despite the club’s poor start, which has seen them manage just one win from their opening four games.

They face another test at Burnley tomorrow, but

Arteta believes they can build on their win over Norwich last weekend, which lifted them off the foot of the table.

He said: “I can really see the light. I’m telling you, I’m very positive most of the time.

“I have seen the light and I can see bright lights.

There can be bumps in the road within that light, but I can see a lot of light.

“We have to put a run together. We know how much we need the results and the performances will lead to that.

“If we do what we have to do against Burnley, we’ll be much closer to achieving that.

“We’ve had a good week to prepare for the game. We know what we are facing. The challenge is going to be big because it’s one of the toughest places to go in the Premier League. We are ready for it.”

Arteta (above) recounted an experience from his playing days when he left Rangers to go to Spain to join Real Sociedad to be closer to his parents.

And, even though it did not work out on a football level, he says it taught him an important lesson.

“I didn’t play – I was on the bench and I always said that was the key moment in my career to have more success after,” he said. “But it was the right thing that I needed in that moment. At that moment, I couldn’t see it.

“I was annoyed, upset and angry. I was really bad with myself and everyone, but today, looking back at it and reflecting on it, it was the perfect moment in the right time.”

Arteta has praised the way Bernd Leno reacted after being axed in favour of Aaron Ramsdale last weekend, but also dismissed reports in Germany that Leno (left) would be brought back for bigger games such as the north London derby on Sunday week.

Arteta added: “I don’t know where they are coming from, but they are ahead of me!

“I think I am the one who picks the team at the weekend and sometimes I read things that I haven’t decided yet.

“I haven’t made a decision for Saturday, so you can imagine the north London derby!”