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Mikel Arteta left Manchester City to take charge of Arsenal five years ago (Photo: Getty)
Mikel Arteta says he “absolutely loves” being a head coach Arsenal and is confident that in ten years he will still be in management and preparing for a Boxing Day match.
The 42-year-old Spaniard returned to Arsenal in December 2019in which he picks up the pieces from Unai Emery and his compatriot’s turbulent eighteen-month reign in the Emirates.
Over the past five years, Arteta has helped return the Gunners to the top of the tree in the United States Premier Leaguewhilst leading the club to silverware in both FA Cup and the Carabao Cup.
This season, Arsenal sit third in the English top flight, six points behind leaders Liverpool and two points behind second-placed Chelsea after seventeen games.
After a worrying slump between October and November, there were signs that Arsenal could be back to their best a rampant 5-1 win over Crystal Palace – and Arteta’s men will look to pick up where they left off against Ipswich in two days’ time.
However, the north London giants will be without star player Bukayo Saka due to their busy winter schedule the English forward was sidelined for a number of weeks due to a hamstring injury.
At the table for an extensive conversation Air sports Ahead of Arsenal’s clash with Ipswich, Arteta opened up about his favorite memories of the festive period before revealing where he sees himself in ten years’ time.
The Gunners sit third in the Premier League ahead of their clash with Ipswich (Photo: Getty) 
Arteta has guided Arsenal to glory in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup (Picture: Getty)
Asked whether he sees himself getting ready for a performance on Boxing Day in ten years’ time, he replied: ‘Yes, in ten years’ time… I’m 42, so I’ll be 52. I think so.
‘If you still have the energy to do it…
‘If you were to ask me now, “Do you see that opportunity?”, I would probably say yes.’
Arsenal beat Palace in the Premier League last time (Photo: Getty)
Arteta added: ‘I love what I do.
‘It is ultimately my choice to determine my profession and I decide to do this because I absolutely love it.
‘It has its share of things, yes, but for me the positives are much greater.’
Arsenal are six points ahead of Liverpool as leaders (Photo: Getty)
According to Arteta, Arsenal’s current group of players need to win major trophies on a consistent basis to be considered club legends in the future.
Asked whether he thinks some of his Arsenal squad will have legendary status in ten years’ time, Arteta said: ‘I hope so. But I think to get there you have to win big trophies consistently and that’s what gets you there.
“We’ll have some records, maybe they’ll be broken. Some of the records we broke have been with this football club for a long time.
“And hopefully those individuals will be recognized at that level because the club has done so well.”
About what will make him happy and fulfilled on the Christmas Ten years from the table, Arteta added: “That they want to be with me.
‘That I pick up my family and friends telephone and they have the opportunity to come to Londonwhen we’re here, or somewhere else, and they decide to sit next to us and spend time with us.’
Will Arteta still be Arsenal’s manager in ten years?
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