Arsenal thank Mikel Arteta for the memories after five years with the club (Video)

Mikel the Gunner

It’s not easy to say goodbye to a long-serving player. Mikel Arteta arrived at Arsenal in 2011 from Everton and has played admirably over the last five years for the Gunners, earning the role of club captain.

An ever-present in his three seasons with the club, the last two years have seen Arteta lose his grip on a first team place, playing a combined total of 25 games. Compare this to 124 in the previous three seasons.

This is all to be expected for a veteran midfielder. The 34-year-old has now hung up his boots.

What next for Arteta?

With his retirement confirmed we’re left wondering what’s next for Arteta. He’s allegedly a very astute tactician and has built up a reputation for himself within the game as a prodigious man-manager.