Arsenal fan-favourite Santi Cazorla has backed Mikel Arteta to bring success to the North London side in the coming years after his appointment as manager.
The two Spaniards played alongside each other during their playing careers at the Emirates Stadium, helping to end the Gunners trophy drought in 2014 by lifting the FA Cup.
Arteta then retired and move to Manchester City to work as assistant to Pep Guardiola, before returning to the club last month as manager, while Cazorla departed in the summer to join Villarreal.
While Arteta's return to Arsenal has provided a significant boost in optimism and improvements on the field, he has tasted victory just twice - although Arsenal remain undefeated in 2020.
Cazorla does not believe this will be an issue in the long-term though, expressing his confidence in his compatriot to guide the Gunners to better fortune.
"I believed he would become a manager in the future. Even when I was playing with him, he showed great leadership in dressing room," he told Goal.
"Some say it's a gamble for Arsenal to appoint him, but I believe it's a reasonable challenge. He also worked as a coach under Pep Guardiola. I believe he can become a great coach."
"It's not easy for any manager now to be like [Arsene] Wenger or [Sir Alex] Ferguson. I can't anticipate how long he'll stay at Arsenal, but I believe he can also make great career at Arsenal, and he's a proper one for Arsenal. I hope Mikel leads Arsenal well."
As well as backing Arteta to bring success back to Arsenal, Cazorla also revealed his dream to represent the club one more time before his retirement.
"I don't know if it's possible or not, but I want to play one more game for Arsenal before I retire. It was a deep regret that I could never have a proper goodbye.
"Arsenal was the biggest club I ever played for. I'm proud that I was an Arsenal player. I'm especially grateful for Arsenal fans who supported me even after I left the club. I wish I can be part of the Gunners family in the future again."
