New Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been given the immediate task of qualifying for the Champions League this season.
The Spaniard, 37, was in the stands for yesterday’s game at Everton and will take charge for his first game against Bournemouth on Boxing Day.
The Gunners played in European football’s top competition for 19 consecutive seasons under Arsene Wenger but are currently playing in the second-tier Europa League for the third year in a row.
Arteta takes over with Arsenal down in ninth place and sixth points off fourth place. But the former Gunners captain has been given a long-term contract until 2023 – the short-term aim of getting them back into the top four by May.
Gunners head of football Raul Sanllehi said: “There are different degrees of success and we want the highest degree eventually.
“To get to one point you need to go through phases. Of course we want to be back fighting for all the titles that we can fight for in every season.
“In the short-term we want to turn this around and our ultimate objective for this season is to qualify for the Champions League because this is the place where we belong.
“We’re a Champions League club. We need to be in the Champions League. And then win the league next season? Eventually. Let’s leave it that way.”
Sanllehi added: “In his analysis of our squad he sees great potential of our youngsters and what we can build going forward.”
