Micah Richards is delighted to see ’s decision to stand by and put their trust in Mikel Arteta finally paying off.
The Gunners are on course for an unlikely top four finish given their poor start to the season with the Spaniard getting the best out of his young stars.
Former defender Richards feels Arsenal could have had even greater success this season had they managed to sign January target though.
The talented striker was linked with a move to north but the former Fiorentina star instead joined Juventus in a £63m deal and has scored five goal in all competitions since the switch.
‘Arsenal have invested in young players and Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe, Gabriel Martinelli, Martin Odegaard, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Kieran Tierney and Ben White are all flourishing,’ Richards told the .
‘Football is evolving and Arteta is from the new school of managers, a man who not long ago was playing and can understand what a dressing room needs to run smoothly. He will know what his squad needs to keep them happy, on and off the pitch.
‘You should not forget, either, that Arteta has been brave. It was a big call to allow Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s sale to Barcelona in January.
‘If he had signed Dusan Vlahovic from Fiorentina as his replacement, the transfer window would have been perfect.’
The Gunners currently sit fourth in the Premier League table and have a game in hand on Manchester United and Tottenham in hot pursuit of the final Champions League spot.
Arsenal have benefitted from not having European football to contend with and if they can finish the season strongly, starting with a win away to Crystal Palace on Monday night, Richards feels they can start to attract the top talent once again.
‘Arteta always looked the right fit to get Arsenal back into the top four, which they took for granted under Arsene Wenger, and over the next two months we will see if he can deliver on the promise,’ he added.
‘What an outstanding opportunity is in front of them. Without European football this season, I felt Arsenal would have an edge to get into the top four because of the clear weeks they had to prepare for games — it has enabled them to build a solid base.
‘They go into this weekend three points ahead of Tottenham, with a game in hand, and it is important to capitalise from here, because the difference it could make to their fortunes for the next number of years is huge.
‘Should Arsenal qualify for the Champions League next season, think of the strength it will add to their hand in the transfer market. They already have a great history, a fantastic stadium and training ground, while areas such as Hampstead are unbelievable places for potential targets to live.
‘When you then add in the prospect of playing in the best competition of all, why wouldn’t you sign for Arsenal?’
, .
,  and .
