Arteta paid tribute to ‘extraordinary man’ after his sacking by Tottenham

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta today paid tribute to « an excellent coach and extraordinary man » Thomas Frank following his sacking by Tottenham.

Frank was fired this morning after eight months in the role and with Spurs 16th in the Premier League table after last night’s home defeat by Newcastle.

The former Brentford boss had hoped for more time given Tottenham’s injury crisis, but the ax fell as the club had time to line up a replacement before their next game, the North London derby on February 22.

Arteta spoke glowingly of his former rival, saying: « It’s always very sad news when you have a colleague who doesn’t continue to do his job because Thomas is an excellent coach, he’s also an extraordinary person and he’s proven it in the league. We know where we are. We know our responsibility goes beyond just performing.

« Sometimes results dictate what happens to us. We wish him all the best in whatever he decides to do next. »

Arsenal are reaping the rewards for sticking with Arteta

Spurs have had eight managers since Arteta was appointed at the Emirates in 2019. It hasn’t always been easy, but Arsenal are reaping the rewards for their patience with The Gunners are six points clear at the top of the Premier League and still in the Champions League, FA Cup and EFL Cup.

Asked to explain his own longevity, the Spaniard said: « It depends on a lot of factors. I think the first one is if you have the players right behind you and they enjoy what they’re doing and they believe in what you’re doing, that’s a big thing. Then you have to win a lot of games because at the end of the day, if you don’t do that, you won’t continue in the job and that’s the reality of our job.

« At the end of the day, the percentage of wins that you get has to be really high if you want to stay in business. Then you can go through a period where you don’t win games and that’s when ownership or the sporting director, whoever it is, has to make a decision and it varies and changes from club to club.

« Between all of us we have been able to maintain and bring that stability, performance, joy and progress to the club and hopefully this season we will be even better. »

Frank’s sacking won’t disrupt Arsenal-Arteta plans

Spurs could appoint an interim manager for the derby, but Arteta denied that would significantly alter his plans.

« Focus more on us and make sure that what we want to achieve, the way we want to play, the things we want to happen in the game, which happens a lot of times, in relation or not in relation to what they’re going to do tactically, » he said.

« Because then the setting is one thing, the player profile is another, and the momentum of the game and the context is something else. And we have to be able to adapt and recognize that and understand those rules to do what we have to do. »

Arsenal visit Brentford tomorrow night.