'I was terrified' - Mikel Arteta recalls fear during first days as Arsenal boss

Remoulding Arsenal’s ethos was a paramount priority for the former club captain, who three weeks after Unai Emery’s sacking took over a 10th-placed side languishing as close to the bottom of the Premier League table as they were to the top.

FIVE YEARS IN CHARGE: Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta during a Premier League match at the Emirates Stadium. Pic: John Walton/PA Wire.

Mikel Arteta admits he was initially “terrified” when he took over at Arsenal five years ago but he is now relishing the challenge of pursuing perfection.

The 42-year-old is the Premier League’s third longest-serving manager after overhauling his club's culture and transforming the Gunners into bona-fide title contenders.