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

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Former Arsenal midfielder Mikel Arteta (L) gestures to former Arsenal Manager Arsene Wenger during the English FA Cup Semi-final match between Wigan Athletic and Arsenal at Wembley Stadium in London on April 12, 2014. (Photo KINGTON/AFP via Getty Images)

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.

Arsene Wenger's statue in place outside the Emirates Stadium (Photo via Arsenal.com)
Arsene Wenger’s statue in place outside the Emirates Stadium (Photo via Arsenal.com)

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.”

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SEVILLE, SPAIN: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal, looks on prior to the UEFA Champions League match between Sevilla FC and Arsenal FC at Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on October 24, 2023. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)

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.