Fernandinho credits Mikel Arteta for drastic improvement | OneFootball

Manchester City midfielder Fernandinho has touted the influence of assistant coach Mikel Arteta amid rumours linking the former Arsenal player with the Gunners manager’s job.

Arteta, 36, joined the backroom staff two years ago after retiring from playing for Arsenal due to injury. He has had a big impact, especially on the likes of Fernandinho, who Pep Guardiola has described as ‘one of the top three holding midfielders in the world.’

Fernandinho told reporters, “One of the positive things about Pep is that he is so close with his staff — they support him in every situation, and we as players have huge contact with them.

“For me, especially Mikel Arteta, because he played in the same position as I play. So sometimes I have private chats with him to correct some positioning or something that is wrong.

“All the people are behind Pep and it is fantastic. That is why we are a very good team, it’s not just the players and the manager, but also the staff. Mikel has helped to improve me a lot this season, with his advice.”

Fernandinho will collect his second winners’ medal after winning in 2014 under Manuel Pellegrini.