MIKEL’S THE BEATING ART OF THE GUNNERS
Legend Bob’s backing rookie boss
MIKEL ARTETA is the perfect man to be leading the Arsenal revolution. That is the message from Highbury legend Bob Wilson as the brief close season nears an end – and the big kick-off for 2020-21 looms large. With a record-extending 14th FA Cup success secured this month by the Gunners, their rookie Spanish boss, 38, has already shown himself more than capable.
But with the transfer window open Wilson’s one fear is the summer recruits, such as Chelsea free signing Willian, could stifle the progress of the club’s young talent and lead to an exodus.
You need only watch the incredible feats of Bayern Munich hitman Serge
Gnabry in the Champions
League to understand why Wilson is worried for his beloved north Londoners. The German ace, 25, could have been with Arsenal still had his path to the first team not been blocked by more experienced names. Ex-gunners keeper and 1971 Double- winner Wilson (above) said: “We’ve had two big lifts recently. Firstly, we finally have the right manager for the first time since Arsene Wenger. “Then we have the boost of winning the FA Cup. There’s still a degree of me that can’t believe we beat Manchester City and Chelsea, and Liverpool in the league, in two weeks.
“But at the same time I worry that, having signed Willian, who’s a top player, and we try to buy the Brazilian defender Gabriel, what happens to our younger players?
“We have amazing talent emerging now – Gabriel Martinelli, Bakayo Saka, Ainsley Maitland-niles, Reiss Nelson, Joe Willock and more.
“My concern is they, or rather their agents, will see the incomings and start demanding bigger contracts and more money or say they’re leaving.
“Look at Gnabry. What a brilliant player he’s become since leaving us. It’s about getting the right balance because we don’t want to lose this generation coming through.”
Wilson says if anyone can handle a delicate situation, it is Arteta. He has been hugely impressed since the Spaniard took over in December.
In six months, Arsenal have gone from a club in crisis to re-establishing themselves as part of the elite.
But with trips to Liverpool and Man City among their first Premier League games, maintaining the high of Wembley three weeks ago will not be straightforward.
Wilson, 78, added: “We have t this momentum and it’s only a short break – so that should help.”
Bob Wilson is life president of the Willow Foundation, which this week celebrates 21 years of helping seriously ill people age 16-40. More at www. willowfoundation.org.uk