Mikel Arteta was pleased to hear praise from Arsene Wenger on Saturday, admitting the former manager’s influence is still clear at Arsenal.

Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal thrashed Sheffield United 5-0 on Saturday, capping off a positive few days for the Gunners.

Arsenal had won 2-1 against Sevilla away from home earlier in the week, putting them top of their Champions League group, and the win over Sheffield United lifted them to second place in the Premier League table.

The Gunners’ return to the Champions League, in addition to their return to the Premier League title race, is something Arteta deserves a lot of credit for.

But a lot of Arteta’s good work is undeniably built on the foundations from Arsene Wenger’s time at the club.

Wenger was in the TV studio for Arsenal’s match against Sheffield United, and beIN SPORTS presenter Carrie Brown asked Arteta about his former boss after the game.

“You know how much I love him, how much he means [to] me,” Arteta said.

“I wouldn’t be standing here if it wasn’t for him because he brought me to the club and always trusted me. It’s a joy, a privilege to have him around.

“You still sense a lot about him here (at the Emirates Stadium), every time you’re here.”

It’s been good to see Wenger getting a little more involved with his old club, with the recent installation of his statue, his return to the stands after a few years away, and his punditry on Gunners games.

As Arteta points out, you can still feel Wenger’s legacy in Arsenal’s emphasis on a young and developing side, playing with plenty of possession, in the stadium built during Wenger’s tenure.

With any luck, Arteta will soon deliver a return to the Premier League titles of the Wenger era as well.