is delighted by the rapid progress has made in recent weeks but concedes his side are still missing the experience of Granit Xhaka.
The manager reluctantly allowed the long-serving Switzerland international to depart in the after he had enjoyed, by some distance, his best ever season at the club.
Arteta took a major gamble by effectively opting to replace Xhaka with Kai Havertz, sanctioning a £65million deal with a view to reinventing the 24-year-old as a midfielder.
Havertz has taken time to adjust to his new role but after a difficult start, he appears to be getting to grips with the tactical demands of his new manager as evidenced by three goals in his last four appearances.
Despite his significant improvement, Arteta admits the loss of Xhaka is still being felt by a side who went into the weekend as Premier League pacesetters.
He told Sky Sports: ‘He was a huge player for us. We miss Granit, yes. I miss him as well because I love him as a person.’
On Havertz flourishing now his confidence has been restored, Arteta added: ‘I think everybody feels what is around them.
‘ When it’s not that positive, it can get to you. When it’s very positive, it can get to you too.
‘But I think he felt the support of all his team-mates and his club behind him. And now, he is feeling the support of our people, which is extremely important and is something which can really amplify his potential. That is why I think now we are seeing a great version.
‘We can’t just have one idea for what we want. In the end, we have to make that position, that role and the demands it has, fit the specific qualities of the player, to empower those qualities.
‘If something is not working, we have to slightly change it and adapt it because, in the end, what we want is that he impacts the team in the most positive way.
‘I think he needs to feel comfortable in order to deliver that.’
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