“Arteta has come in and made it a happier place.” Says former Arsenal keeper

Ex-Arsenal shot stopper Lee Harper has claimed Mikel Arteta’s newly instilled philosophy has put smiles back on faces at the Emirates.

Arsenal welcome Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United side in what will be Arteta’s first taste of management in the FA Cup, and the Spaniard will know the risk tonight’s visitors pose. Flying high at the top of the Championship, Bielsa’s men will be aiming to spoil Arteta’s bright start to life as Arsenal boss.

The visitors will be fancying their chances, with Arsenal’s tricky trip across London to Selhurst Park on Saturday meaning squad rotation and resting some tired legs is pretty much certain.

The likes of Pierre-Emerik Aubameyang and Nicolas Pepe will most probably sit out, making way for some of the younger boys to get some more minutes under their belt.

Speaking exclusively to Love Sport, former Gunners keeper Lee Harper says Mikel Arteta has already turned the club’s fortunes around.

“Arteta has got the club bouncing, he’s instilled a tempo, instilled his philosophy and I hope it will only get better.”

Harper anticipates a tough test for the hosts this evening, “Tonight they are going to come up against a team that are flying high at the top of the championship, who have got nothing to lose - their priority is to win the championship.”

“They are a huge club, the supporters will make a big atmosphere for the Arsenal players to deal with.”

Arteta has received huge plaudits in his short time in charge of Arsenal, and Harper has high hopes for the new manager, “He’s been involved with coaching at the highest level, he’s been involved with one of the greatest managers of the modern era and that can only have rubbed off on him.”

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