Alan Smith says Mikel Arteta has “a lot of work to do” at Arsenal – but still believes they can challenge for a Champions League place.
The Gunners are preparing for the Premier League’s return, with Arteta’s side one of the first teams out of the gates as they take on Manchester City on June 17.
They’ll be aiming to make a late push for European football for next season, but have plenty to do as they currently sit ninth in the table, seven points off fourth-placed Chelsea.
Arsenal legend Smith though feels Arteta has improved things since arriving as manager back in December, but will need plenty of support if he’s to get things right.
He told Sky Sports’ Football Show: “He has got a lot of work to do and a lot of wrongs to put right.
“It’s not easy to take over mid-stream and you could see certain improvements, a little more steel to the side, better organisation when they lose the ball.
“They had a lot of draws and if - and it is a big if - they can turn those draws into wins they would be gunning for a Champions League spot.
“But it’s a long-term project and before that, you fancy he needs a few quid in the transfer market.
“But he is a coach who can improve the players that he has got. He has got this raft of youngsters coming through from the youth team and I think he will be keen to work with them. They’ve got that hunger and energy.
“With the break, he has players like Rob Holding which is a bonus.
“I was a big advocate of Arteta getting the job because he is going to be a top manager and hopefully a top manager at Arsenal.”
