Mikel Arteta admits he still has to win Arsenal fans over... but will focus on getting players on side first

Arteta's next test is the visit of Chelsea to the Emirates.
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Mikel Arteta insists he must first focus on winning over the Arsenal players before trying to get the fans back onside.

The Spaniard was appointed as the Gunners’ new head coach last week, signing a three-and-a-half year contract after leaving his job as Pep Guardiola’s assistant at Manchester City.

The job is the 37-year-old’s first one in management and his appointment was met with a mixed reaction by supporters.

Some Arsenal fans wanted the club to go for a more experienced name - such as Carlo Ancelotti - and Arteta knows he has a job on his hands to win over some sections of the fanbase.

The Spaniard, however, has claimed his initial task is to get the squad believing in his method before turning his attention to supporters.

In Pictures | Bournemouth vs Arsenal | 26/12/2019

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“First I need to convince the players and then if I can convince the players, afterwards we can convince the fans,” said Arteta.

“I think it's very, very important in my job. We play for them (the fans). At the end of the day, they're expecting a lot from us.

“We have to give them enjoyment, we have to make their lives better and when we win, it will be better because they will be happier. It's our responsibility and we have to do everything we can to achieve that.”

Arteta kicked off his reign as Arsenal boss with a draw at Bournemouth on Boxing Day after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s second-half goal cancelled out Dan Gosling’s opener.

The Gunners next host Chelsea at Emirates Stadium on Sunday and Arteta knows it is a game that could swing momentum his way as he attempts to make his mark.

“What I want now is to review the game [against Bournemouth], go through the individual and collective issues that we had, the positives and negatives to try to convince them that if they do more of this then they will be more comfortable in the game,” he added.

“Then we'll be closer to winning football games. For me now, Chelsea is a little bit far. I know they lost at home again but they are a terrific team, so it will be a really good test for us.

“I think energy is everything, in life in football and in sports. If we are able to generate this, it will give us a lift.

“I was really pleased with how the fans treated the players today and I was happy that the players went to see the fans after the game as well because we need that connection.

“Slowly, we need to build that back to where it was. It's going to be very powerful for us to use that.”

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