David O’Leary says Mikel Arteta has not “put a foot wrong” since his appointment as manager of Arsenal, warns he would need to get decisions right in the transfer market.
Arsenal have done little to impress many fans with their recent activities in the transfer businesses, despite signing David Luiz and Nicolas Pepe last summer.
The pair are yet to get the crowd going with their performances since arriving at the Emirates Stadium with Pepe being under scrutiny most of the times.
Arteta’s early honeymoon has offered hope and optimism for the supporters of the club since taking over from Unai Emery in December last year.
O’Leary believes the Spaniard is looking to build a long term project at Arsenal with activities both on and off the pitch but claims that he would be judged based on how he will fare in the transfer window.
The former Arsenal player told talkSPORT of Arteta: “I don’t think he’s put a foot wrong off the field.
“There are things that he’s done that nobody knows about. But what you can say, what he’s come in behind the scenes and done has just been absolutely fantastic.
“The way he’s handled himself, the way he’s handled himself through this crisis and the things he’s done without seeking publicity, the things he’s implemented structurally at the club, I don’t think he’s put a foot wrong.
“I think he has a hard task, without a doubt, he’s come in and taken a hard job on. He needs players.
“The squad he has he will make better. Will that push them towards being a top-four club? No, I don’t see that.
“I think where he is going to be judged is on recruitment. It’s easier said than done, but you’ve got to get players out.
“That’s hard to do and he’ll be judged on that, but he’ll also be certainly judged on the personnel he brings in.”
Arsenal are preparing to return to Premier League action on June 17 with a clash against defending champions Manchester City.
