Mikel Arteta wants to throw open the door to more Arsenal legends after Sol Campbell’s visit to the training ground.
Arteta admitted it is “not right” that it was Campbell’s first time back to their London Colney base for ten years and he wants to involve more former players,
Arsenal legend Campbell was pictured making a visit to the training ground this week in the build-up to Friday’s game with Southampton. Current players spoke to Campbell - a member of the 2004 Invincibles title-winning team - after he watched the session.
Former Arsenal captain Martin Keown has been another recent visitor and Arteta is clearly keen to involve other great players of the past and tap into their knowledge.
Gunners boss Arteta said: “It’s great to have them back. Sol said to me that it was yen years ago the last time he was here, and that’s not right.
“We need those players, those people, with those experiences, with what they have done for the club, to be closer, to be closer to the team, to be closer to the players, to share their experiences and to be around.
“Then, the feeling is different. They (the players) were looking up to him and some of them wanted to ask him a few questions as well and just having those conversations, I think is extremely helpful.”
Arteta has also said publicly he would like to see more of former boss Arsene Wenger around the club after the ex-Arsenal manager made an emotional first return to the Emirates this season.
Which Arsenal legends do you think should return to London Colney? Comment here
The club have plans to unveil a statue in Wenger’s honour at the ground and Arteta is not shying away from involving legendary figures of the past which can sometimes be intimidating for younger managers.
Arteta was a former captain himself and there is a lot of warmth and respect towards him from former players. Meanwhile, Arteta has called on Arsenal fans to make another special atmosphere against Southampton on Friday night as they look to get back to winning habits.
Arteta added: “I think we cannot be grateful enough to the supporters that we have got - at home and away. Now it is about doing it to an even different level together and being even more intense, playing every single game with us.
“That is going to make a huge impact in the team, in terms of confidence, belief. The positivity that we can generate is there and as well you can make it really difficult for the opponent.”
