Per Mertesacker has urged Arsenal fans to be patient with Mikel Arteta and the project he is building at the Emirates.
The Spaniard has been under pressure after the Gunners lost their opening three games of the new Premier League season to Brentford, Chelsea and Manchester City respectively.
Those poor results came after a season where Arteta’s side finished eighth for the second consecutive year, meaning they missed out on European qualification for the first time in a quarter of a century.
Arsenal have started to get things back on track following 1-0 wins over both Norwich and Burnley, but Arteta is still very much in the firing line from Gunners fans who want to see their side improve quickly.
However, Mertesacker, who shared the captaincy with Arteta before he took charge of the club’s academy three years ago, has expressed how big of a transition the club are in at the moment.
Speaking on The Beautiful Game Podcast, he said: "[It’s a] massive transition, that’s what I would class it as.
"I think it was clear when Arsene (Wenger) left the void that needed to be filled wouldn’t get sorted in a couple of seasons, or 3-4 years.
"You always want the shortcut, you know, bang (clicks fingers) straight back into the Champions League, straight back into being successful.
"I think even myself, realising and working now with the academy, going more long term developmental, I think we see kind of similar-ish traits in the first team, and I hope that Mikel gets the time that he needs."
The former Germany international then pleaded with Arsenal’s fans to keep their faith in Arteta if they want to build a sustainable model for the future.
“To have sustainable success there needs to be some trust," he added.
"Let’s give him the trust and the development squad that he can take to the next level that will achieve Champions League football, maybe in 2-3 years.”
Mertesacker proceeded by stating how hard Arteta works, and that his commitment will eventually help the club to get back to where it belongs.
"I know how much he wants it, I know his work ethic, I know how intense the squad works at the moment to get to a better level.
"I think we all have to swallow disappointment at the moment, which I’m keen to change, but the environments that we are going to deliver in the next years will be key for our success."
